Devotion • October 20
Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you — unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them — though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. (NRSV)
Reflection
These verses from 1 Corinthians contain the second reference Paul has made in the letter to something being received and handed on. In the first case (1 Corinthians 11:23), the institution of the Lord’s Supper is described: “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed...”
I received it. I handed it on to you.
In 15:3 what’s received and handed on is the proclamation about Jesus’ resurrection, and this is “of first importance.” Christ died... he was buried... he was raised... he appeared.
I received it. I handed it on to you.
All of us who stand in faith do so because we received the proclamation. Whether our parents, a Sunday School teacher, a preacher, or a stranger on the street, if we believe it’s because we first heard — from someone. This reception happens more than once, thank heavens, for we are not always receptive. What I heard as a child I did not really receive as having anything to do with me until I was older. More than once it was offered to me until I could finally receive it.
If reception is the primary posture of faith, then handing on is the constant one. This message about Jesus’ resurrection and new life is not something we simply accept for ourselves. For if it is true for us, it must be true for all. It won’t do to simply receive the good news about forgiveness of sins and the conquering of death as if it’s one thing among others we might choose to believe and as if it has no bearing on other people. Rather, sharing this good news (in deeds and in words) is the evidence that we have truly received it.
What we receive of faith involves us personally, though not independently, because both instances of receiving and handing on in this letter are connected to community concerns. The handing on of teaching about communion serves to correct distortions in the way the Corinthian Christians were celebrating that sacrament, while the reminder about Jesus’ resurrection will address, in the verses that follow, some in the community who are saying “there is no resurrection of the dead.”
Reception of faith and handing it on happen in community, so the things the community says and does about it matter.
Prayer
For those from whom we receive good news, as if from you yourself, we give you thanks, gracious God. For the truth of their witness, the persuasion of their words and their life, their attention and care — in all of these we receive the good news of resurrection and new life, and in these we stand and are being saved. Help us, as your church, to hand on this news in all we do, to your glory and for the salvation of the world. Through Christ, Amen.
Written by Rocky Supinger, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry and Worship
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email
YouTube
Podcasts
/fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
#fourthchurch
@fourthchicago