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Monday

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-7

Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day were all according to the Scriptures. All the events in the life of Jesus were part of God’s master plan for the world, which He orchestrated in His impeccable timing.

God is in total control of this world; nothing happens unless He allows it. Even though He is not the author of evil, He can even weave the wickedest deeds of humankind into accomplishing His perfect plan. The crucifixion of Jesus, the killing of God-in-the-flesh, was the evilest sin in history. Yet, God was able to use this dastardly deed to accomplish His great plan of salvation.

Although the evil people of the world are running wild, God is still at the helm. God sees the beautiful embroidery He is weaving; we see only the back side, the scrambled threads. God, the Master Designer, knows what He is doing.

For instance, when I was a boy, in a moment of great anger, I cursed God. Suppose at that moment the angel assigned to me grabbed a lightning bolt, ready to launch it at me, and said to God, “God, did You hear that? He just cursed You. Let me strike him dead right now!”

Then God might reply, “Hold your horses! He’s just a kid!”

Then the angel, with his extended arm quivering in eagerness to cast the lightning bolt, might say, “But, he just cursed You! How could You let him get away with that?”

God, shaking His head at the over eagerness of the angel, might say, “I have great plans for that boy. One day he will be teaching my Word to people in many countries of the world. So calm down! Everything’s under control!”

Questions

Christ’s death and resurrection were planned from the very beginning. How does that make you feel? As you look at the evil mess in this world, how do you respond? As you go through the pains and trials of life, how do you feel toward God?

Prayers

Young Life Capernaum

Pray for the middle schoolers who have not yet met Jesus to have open hearts and minds to visit the Young Life emerging clubs and enroll in summer camp. Pray for the children who may have conflicting plans or limited means that they would be able to go to WyldLife camp in July.

 

Tuesday

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Paul lists many of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, and he includes himself as the least of the apostles because he had persecuted the Church. “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). He did not seek after Jesus; Jesus pursued him. 

The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus demonstrate His grace to those to whom He appeared. These were very special acts of grace to Peter who had denied Christ and to James who was a non-believer. 

Here’s another example of God’s demonstration of His grace: At a teen church camp during a speaker’s session, a youth stood up and said, “I don’t believe that God exists. And to prove that He does not exist, I challenge Him to strike me down dead at this very moment.”

Just at that moment a lightning bolt struck just outside the building, a loud crashing boom that shook the room. The teens sitting close to the youth quickly moved away from him. Of course, the youth was not killed. It was a demonstration of God’s grace that He is patient with those who defy Him.

Another example of God’s grace happened in September, 2013, on a Sunday morning. All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, was crowded with parishioners when terrorists bombed it, resulting in numerous casualties: 127 dead, 250 injured. This was the deadliest attack on Christians in the history of Pakistan. (wikipedia) My reaction was, “Why doesn’t God just kill all those terrorists?”

A year-and-half later, I heard from a Pakistani Christian leader that four of those terrorists who were involved in the planning of the bombing were having dreams where Jesus appeared to them. Deeply troubled, they sought counsel from Christians. In time they became Christians, and today they are serving Jesus. In God’s grace, rather than kill them, He saved them.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am.” Paul’s words fit all of us. None of us deserves to be alive today except by God’s grace. 

Questions

What are some examples of God’s grace in your life? What is your response as you reflect on this list? May it compel you to greater love and service for Him.

Prayers

Young Life Capernaum

Pray for the volunteer leaders who give so much time and energy to do life with kids and families. Pray that they would be strengthened and be renewed in their ministry. Please pray for all of the children ministered to by Young Life Capernaum.

 

Wednesday

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Some Corinthians did not believe in the resurrection of the body. A decaying corpse coming to life was abhorrent. Paul emphasized that the foundation of the Christian faith is the resurrection. If Christ were not risen, our faith would be in vain. We would still be in our sins (v. 17). 

I grew up in an evangelical church. While I was a university student, I heard for the first time this statement: “Religion is a crutch for the weak.” I asked myself, “Is religion man’s attempt to explain the complexities of life?” Therefore, I was motivated to think through more deeply the reasons I believe. Since the foundation of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus, I began to read books on apologetics. I found several very strong reasons for believing in the resurrection of Jesus. 

First of all, the tomb of Jesus was empty. Everyone, even the enemies of Christianity, agreed with this and had no logical explanations. 

Secondly, the lives of the disciples changed. Upon the arrest of Jesus, His disciples fled in fear and hid behind locked doors. However, after encountering the risen Christ, they were fearlessly proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. Even when arrested, flogged, and commanded by the authorities, they could not be stopped from proclaiming the risen Christ. 

James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. However, that changed after Jesus’ resurrection. Per 1 Corinthians 15:7, “[Jesus] appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”  In response James—now knowing his half-brother as the Messiah and his Lord and Savior—stepped up and became the leader of the fledgling Jerusalem Church. 

Saul, the destroyer of the Church, later called Paul, went house to house arresting Christians. He approved of the death of Stephen. Later, we find him going everywhere proclaiming that Jesus has risen from the dead. 

What had happened to cause such earth-shaking changes in all these men? They had encountered the risen Christ.

For these reasons, I concluded that Christ really did rise from the dead and therefore “… was declared the Son of God with power by [His] resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). This is the reason I have devoted my life to following and obeying Him. 

Questions

Are you fully convinced that Jesus rose from the dead? How is this affecting your life?

Prayers

Young Life Capernaum

Pray for the director and her family. Pray for her husband to get a life-giving, full-time job soon. Ask God to strengthen their marriage and to give them patience while parenting a 2-year-old. Also pray for them to have a healthy balance with work and family time.

 

Thursday

Read 1 Corinthians 15: 35-49 

My elementary school teacher suspended an avocado seed in a glass of water and placed it near a window in the classroom. After a long time, a small root and shoot came out of the seed. 

Since seeing that project as a child, I had always wanted to do it myself but never had the opportunity. Finally, many years later, married with children, having my own home, I did it. I suspended an avocado seed in a glass of water and placed it on the window sill in the kitchen. Every day I would watch for any signs of growth. I waited for perhaps two months and nothing happened. By this time the seed began to rot, gave off a putrid odor, and was an eye-sore. 

My wife, having to look at this unpleasant sight in her kitchen for so long, threw the seed into the garbage. I was annoyed by what she did; I dug it out of the garbage, replaced it in the glass, and put it in a less conspicuous location.

After some time, the seed began to sprout. I planted it in the ground. In time it began to bear delicious fruit. Today it is fifteen feet tall.

This avocado seed is a picture of the human body decaying in the grave. The seed was rotting, putrid, and awful to look at. The plant coming from the seed represents the resurrected life coming out of the dead body. Out of death comes a new kind of life. Our resurrected bodies will be imperishable, glorified, with spiritual power, and like the glorified body of Jesus. On the Mount of Transfiguration, the bodies of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah shined with the glory that we also will receive (Matthew 17).

What God promises is a certainty. Therefore, Paul could strongly affirm that “those He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8:30). Therefore, we know for certain that we will rise again from the dead with glorified bodies. 

Questions

What is your personal response to this certainty? How does this affect your present life?

Prayers

Young Life Capernaum

Pray for the Young Life Capernaum Committee. Pray that each member would feel purpose and belonging on the team and find meaningful ways to support this ministry. Pray that they would add new committee members who have a passion for kids and for Jesus and who have the capacity to give time and resources.

 

Friday

Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The death and resurrection of Jesus were planned by God before this world was created. Because Jesus defeated death, we too will defeat death. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. … O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55).

I had two friends, late fifties in age, in excellent health; but on different occasions they passed away from heart attacks while they were sleeping at night. Their families grieved the sudden unexpected loss of their loved ones. However, they were consoled knowing that their departed ones were now in the presence of Jesus. On the night before my friends’ departures from this earth, they said, “Good night!” to their families and then, “Good morning!” to Jesus. For believers to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We know this for a certainty because Jesus rose again from the dead. His resurrection guarantees our own.

Prayer: “Thank You, Lord, for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, I am fully convinced that You rose again from the dead and truly are God. I stand immoveable on this truth. Because You defeated the grave, I know for a certainty that I will too. I no longer fear death. My death will be my entry into eternity with You. I will have a new body, glorified like Yours. Therefore, in this life I will no longer live for myself but for You who died for me and rose again. 

“Jesus, because You are God, I will always seek to hear Your voice and be quick to obey You with passion and fervor. I will serve You wholeheartedly with my fullest efforts. I will seek to live single-mindedly for You, eager to pour out my heart for You in everything I do. As long I have breath, I will strive to be always abounding in Your work, knowing that my labors for You will not be in vain. Amen.” 

Questions

Read the above prayer slowly, several times, meditating on its meaning. What changes do you have to make in your life as a result of Jesus’ resurrection?

Prayers

Young Life Capernaum

Pray for financial support for this ministry, especially in the area of campership. Pray that donors would give generously to send kids to camp, knowing Jesus will be going ahead of these children and making a way for beautiful encounters with Him in the midst of His creation. Pray for these children to come to know Jesus deeply and feel valued, loved, and worthy.

 

Sources

“Peshawar Church Bombing” information is taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peshawar_church_bombing. 

 

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