Appearances

3.30.2010

1 Corinthians 15:6 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ESV

Lest we race to finish 1 Corinthians 15, we need to consider something: Jesus Christ appeared a huge number of people after His resurrection. This is a colossal truth and one we must never overlook! Jesus also appeared to Paul the apostle from whom we get most of the New Testament teachings.

Why is this so important? It’s important because God made sure that many people knew and through them that many people would believe. Consider the prophet Mohammed; he was the only one who saw the ‘vision’ that got Islam off the ground – and what did he do then? – he persecuted the Church! And then Joseph Smith; he was the only one who found the golden tablets – and then what did he do? – he persecuted the Church. Name one cult leader after another and the pattern is always the same – only one gets the vision or revelation and immediately the Church becomes the target.

The appearance and presence of Christ does at least one thing: He makes the Church valuable – or at least He ought to… My attitude toward the Church is based in faith upon what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 and in Christ’s appearance to me in my exposure to and acceptance His truth. This is so different than the way cults and false religions operate…amen?

Father in Heaven,

The promise of Jesus is: Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. “…And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest (reveal) myself to him.” That’s worth banking on and worth telling others about. Thank You for the Church and thank You that though You still speak in that still small voice, what You do is right out in the open! Amen.