February 7:
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Luke 5:1-11
Today’s gospel story is eerily similar to the post-Resurrection narrative in John 21. Luke makes it Peter’s call, the beginning of his discipleship. John makes it the beginning of Peter’s redemption. Both tales launch the mission of Peter and the church. Why mention this here? The pairing of Luke 5 and 1 Corinthians 15 sheds Easter light in February. Easter’s life-light and Epiphany’s starlight look much the same to me. Both light our way into engagement with the world Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose to redeem.
What do we have to offer this world? Some scholars think 1 Corinthians 15 is one of the earliest records of the gospel as it was first preached. Perhaps even the first creedal statement. Paul says he taught, “as of first importance,” what he was taught. His words echo and reverse the order of 11:23, where he says how he first came to know about the Lord’s Table. That knowledge came directly “from the Lord.” The gospel proclamation came from brothers and sisters who told him the truth.
Henna Kim is originally from South Korea and currently resides in Canada. The October issue featured another of her paintings.
To purchase her art, contact Henna Kim:
905-534-1045 (H)
647-828-0220 (C)
hyunhwa@hotmail.com
For more information about the artist and her work, see hennakimart.com.
The simplest confession of faith takes up the second half of verse three, all of verse four, and (perhaps) verse five. Paul goes on to show us that the good news of Jesus alive again is the most important proclamation of all. Naming the people who met the risen Lord underlines the Resurrection as gospel. It also supports the truth Paul has received and preached. And the authority of the people who passed the word to him. Paul also asserts his own right to be called an apostle, but he does it with humility that recalls Peter in the boat (Luke 5:8). He, Peter, James, and the rest are all one. They preach the same good news.
When you and I share the good news, what do we say is “of first importance”? Is our gospel story all about the cross, with a happy ending tacked on? Or do we witness to a risen Lord? He died, yes! There’s no gospel without the cross. The confident, daring witness of our ancestors in faith begins with the cross and goes on quickly to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection. For Paul, that good news is our only hope, the motive and guarantee of our mission.
“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures … and … was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.” For Paul and his brothers and sisters this doesn’t mean word-for-word fulfillment of prophecies. “In accordance with the scriptures” means Jesus’ death and resurrection embody what the scriptures reveal about God’s way with the world. God’s call to the faithful to trust and obey, even to death. God’s power over death, and the assurance of vindication for those who give all for God’s purposes. Yes, Jesus died. Living as he did, embodying God in the world, it seems rejection by the world was inevitable. Dying as he did, embodying God in the world, resurrection was inevitable, too! That’s the good news.
No, there’s no gospel without the cross. But the news isn’t good without resurrection. Lent approaches. The story we know too well begins to unfold. The shadow of the cross will soon fall on us. Let’s remember, Sundays in Lent are not days of Lent. They’re still days of resurrection. Is our gospel, “Jesus died, and all is struggle”? Or is our gospel, “Jesus is alive, and anything is possible”?
February 7 is Presbyterian World Service and Development Sunday. What authorizes our good work in the world? We dare to do what we do because we know Jesus is alive. When we reach out with relief to those on the brink of death, we share resurrection life. When we support development and education, we dare to build for a future others can’t see. Because Jesus lives, we need not fear any future.
