Preparing for Easter

I have a confession to make. I am a biblical sentimentalist. That’s right. I think about the Bible and I get emotional. Here in my palm is God speaking directly to me. These words of life written two millennium ago (and more) are just as vibrant and alive today as they were then. They give me just as much life and light as they have to any other person at any other age.

Of course my sentimentalism runs different for different texts. I have my favorite text on justification, another one on hope and another on God’s glory. And I have my favorite Easter text - 1 Corinthians 15. Every Easter I revisit this text. This apologetic entrenched in historicity as overwhelming proof of Jesus’ resurrection is exciting. Its simplicity along with specific results is encouraging. 1 Corinthians 15 is vitally necessary in the current atmosphere of theological novelty that sweeps through historical Jesus research via the broom of historical revisionism.

This is where my sentimentality takes over. I readily admit that I love to trace over this passage with my fingertips as I consider the fact that one of the oldest Christian traditions evidences itself right before me. Here, with stark clarity, God proclaims His Gospel and the overflowing dividends that come with Jesus’ resurrection. All this to say that this year I want to take you along with me as I revisit this text as I prepare for my worship and celebrating of the most important event in history.