Verse 12

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?"

The next several posts will all be about this concept of resurrection.

Resurrection in the past. And more importantly, in the future.

But I'll go a different direction with it before we dive into the raising-from-the-dead stuff next week.

The context here is helpful. From what we can piece together (remember, this letter is part of a larger conversation but we are only reading Paul's half of it, so it is kinda like hearing one end of a telephone call), it seems there have been other teachings preached in Corinth. In particular, on the issue of resurrection with some claiming that it was not possible.

We are given some hint at the motives for this argument, generally I'd say those making this argument were trying to rescue Jesus from himself.

This claim of resurrection was a bit too far. It clashed with reason a little too much . . . after all who had ever heard of the dead coming back to life. By experience the mortality rate had not flinched from 100%. People just simply didn't come back from the dead. It was that simple.

So to claim that they can and do, well, it's a little embarrassing. So, these preachers were "cleaning it up a bit."

And I think we do it sometimes to: we seek to rescue Jesus from himself.

It can be for a number of reasons. Some of them are even legitimate, but most aren't.

If I flee any discussion of the concept of Hell because it makes me uncomfortable or I don't want to offend anyone, I am acting out of pride and fear, not reason or kindness or love.

If I water down the definition of grace to allow that near-convert a slight feeling of accomplishment, I don't help them, I hurt them.

(Here's my biggest one) If I boldly can quote the first 10 words of a verse, then mumble through the antiquated sounding next 6 words, then raise my voice for the last 6 words, I'm being dishonest.

The fact of the matter is I didn't write the Bible. It's not my book. And if I had written it, it would be different. But it's not my book. It's His. And if he's truly my Lord, I'm going to act like its true and proclaim what it says.

Fact of the mater is, Jesus doesn't need me (or anyone) to rescue him. Come on, he conquered death after all!

Disclaimer: This doesn't mean we turn off our brains or mindlessly accept things, not at all. I have repeatedly found the pattern in my life to be: Trust God . . . things make sense and resolve well. Trust Marc . . . things swirl into confusion and chaos ensues.