1 Corinthians 15:8 – last of all

…Yet, last of all, even as if a premature birth, He was seen by me also…

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul shows how the resurrection of Christ is a proven, historical fact. Fact one: the tomb in which Jesus was laid was empty. Fact two: Christ’s resurrection was foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures. Fact three: the risen Christ has appeared to many witnesses. Once even to five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom were still alive in the days that Paul wrote the above letter.

In the series of appearances, the appearance to Saul of Tarsus occupies an exceptional place. All other appearances took place during the forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. The appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus was a few years later. Saul did not belong to the circle of the disciples. On the contrary. Moreover, the appearance to Saul took place outside of Israel’s borders. And the most striking difference: Jesus appeared to Saul from heaven, in dazzling light.

The appearance to Saul forms the closing point. Paul is “last of all.” Distrust all claims of others who think they have seen Christ afterwards. For everything that Christ still had to say, He announced through Paul.

Delen: