Who Saw Christ?

And that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 

I Corinthians 15:5-8

Who saw Christ after He rose from the dead? Our text catalogues them. Paul is beginning his masterful discourse on the resurrection of the dead. This is the richest exposition on the subject we have in one location. As he introduces the subject, he clearly articulates the gospel, concluding with, ‘and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.’ Our text is the next set of verses. Here Paul lists the people who saw Christ after He had risen. It is an  impressive array of individuals and groups. Peter, the other disciples, a congregation of more than five hundred, James, the apostles, and finally Paul himself. Thus, the resurrection of Christ is well-documented. This is important to us and separates fact from fiction. The rest of the faith is integrally related to Christ’s resurrection. By Peter’s testimony, ‘For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.’ We testify that we believe them because of their witness, that Christ has, indeed, risen from the dead. This is worth believing and proclaiming. As we go about our lives, within the various contexts in which we find ourselves, let us proclaim, ‘He is risen indeed.’ 

Our Savior and our Sovereign God, 
we rejoice that Christ has risen from the dead. 
We praise You for the authority of Your witnesses 
and their confirmation of what they saw. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning