Paul Attempts to Describe a Mystery

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Reflection and Question: Paul lived and worked close enough to the time of Christ to still hold the strong conviction that the trumpet call of Jesus’ return in glory would come while some of the faithful were still alive. So he assures the Corinthians, “we shall not all die, but we shall all be changed.” Paul has the humility to admit that how this change will happen is a mystery, but he tries to characterize it through equating death with sin and emphasizing Jesus’ victory over both of those. After you have received Paul’s assurance of triumph over death, how do you get to work for Jesus?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, open our hearts to the awesome mystery that Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Use this wisdom to still any fears we may have of death and sin so that our energy may turn fully toward service to You. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).