Paul tells the Corinthians that he delivered to them “as of first importance” what he himself had also received: the facts of the Gospel message. First, Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; next, that Jesus was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Then, the risen Savior appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, and also to more than five hundred brothers at once (most of whom were alive at the time of the writing of his epistle). Paul finishes his “fact sheet” by saying the Lord appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and finally to himself, “as to one untimely born.” Paul considered himself to be the “least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Yet God’s grace overcame his rebellion, causing him to work harder than all the other apostles for Christ’s mission.

Truly, the Gospel of salvation and the resurrection of Jesus are intimately connected. Because Jesus lives, we know that he paid our penalty, that God has accepted his sacrifice, and that our hope is real. This is the Gospel that we received, and in which we stand.

Jesus of Nazareth entrusted to the Apostles a good deposit of faith that the church receives, guards, and passes down.

The Old Testament Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would die for the sins of his people, that his dead body would be buried, and yet he would rise from death on the third day. Jesus of Nazareth fulfills this prophecy; he was crucified dead, laid in a borrowed tomb, and rose victorious from death on the third day.

Thank you, Father, that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the very Christ testified in Scripture to be God’s lamb, slain for the world’s sin, buried dead but rose triumphant three days later. In him alone do you offer life. We have accepted your apostles’ word, and know Jesus is the Christ, your Son and our Savior. Amen.

Weekly Reflection on the Priesthood of all Believers
Romans 12:1 suggests worship is living in a mindset of surrender to God’s will. Such a mindset will allow work itself to be an act of worship. As workplace priests, we understand that ultimately our accountability is to God and thus we always strive to act in ways that please and glorify God at all times . . . no matter what we do and no matter if anyone is watching or not. . . . It does not matter if we clean toilets or lead a Fortune 500 company—either way, work can be, but is not automatically, worship. It depends on our attitude. For work to be worship we need to realign our attitude towards work so that it is consistent with God’s vision of work.

~ Scott Breslin, Embracing Our Priestly Nature at Work: A Theology and Practice for Ordinary Saints. Eugene OR: Resource Publications, 2017. pp. 38-39.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
Enter the Priesthood of All Believers, 1 Peter 2.4-10

Book Reading
Breslin, Embracing Our Priestly Nature at Work