What If?

WHAT IF? (1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-28)

Have you heard of the “Top Ten Biblical Wives Complaints?”:

10. Eve to Adam (in the garden of Eden): “You never take me anywhere different to eat!”

9. Sarah to Abraham: “Maybe if you stopped treating me like your sister, we could start a family!” (Gen 12:19)

8. (Mother) Elizabeth to (son) John the Baptist: “I cook you a nice meal and all you want is locust, locust, locust!”

7. Pharaoh's Daughter to Moses: “Stop parting the bath water, Moses, and wash behind those ears!”

6. David's mom to Jesse, her husband: “Do you really think it was a good idea to get David that sling? He's going to put someone's eye out with that thing!”

5. Manoah's wife to her son (Nazirite) Samson: “Can't you clean the sink after you shampoo? I'm sick of all these long hairs!”

4. Elizabeth to Mary: “I love talking to you, Mary, really I do, but can you speak a little softer? This kid just won't stop doing the rhumba in my tummy!” (Luke 1:44)

3. Mary to Joseph: “I TOLD you to make reservations!”

2. Herodias to her daughter: “I told Herod that if he didn't do something about this John nut, I would make sure the problem came to a head!”

And the number one complaint made by a biblical wife is:

1. Pilate's wife to Pilate after the resurrection: “You never listen to me, do you? How do you feel now ‘Mr. Wash-Your-Hands-In-Public’?!” (Mat 27:19)

The critics got it wrong on Christianity. Most of their debates with Christians and the attacks against Christianity center around whether there is a God. In truth, Christianity does not fall and rise with the existence of God; it does with the resurrection. The resurrection is implicit in the Old Testament but central to the New Testament. Why is Christianity and not Judaism the staunchest defender of this teaching?

The Resurrection is Supported by Testimony

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Cor 15:3-10)

A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,” the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. “Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom.” He looked toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened.

Finally the lawyer said, “Actually, I made up the previous statement. But, you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put to you that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty.” The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. “But how?” inquired the lawyer. “You must have had some doubt; I saw all of you stare at the door.” The jury foreman replied, “Oh, we looked, but your client didn't.”

Te resurrection is not only a hard story to make up; it is virtually impossible psychologically, morally and emotionally. One would have to continuously be in a state of self-denial, speak with conviction on an uncertain subject, more importantly, act as if it is the gospel truth.

Paul states that the belief, evidence and the testimony in the resurrection are rock solid because Jesus appeared to the apostles and more than five hundred believers who were still alive at the time of writing (v 5) and also to him. However, Paul’s argument is not on the appearances Jesus made, but the difference it makes. He testifies to the transformation that took place in his life. Before he persecuted the church (v 7); now he labored for Christ – not only that; he worked harder than before and than all (v 10). The mighty Paul did not speak out of pride, but out of humility; he calls himself the “least of the apostles” (v 9). The word “labor” does not mean “work,” but “work hard,” being weary and feeling fatigue from hard work, toil and labor.