14 April 2017

God's Word for Good Friday, 4/14

Friends, let me go over the Message with you one final time— this Message that I proclaimed and that you made your own; this Message on which you took your stand and by which your life has been saved. (I’m assuming, now, that your belief was the real thing and not a passing fancy, that you’re in this for good and holding fast.) The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died); that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; and that he finally presented himself alive to me. It was fitting that I bring up the rear. I don’t deserve to be included in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early years trying my best to stamp God’s church right out of existence.

1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 MSG

12 comments:

Old NFO said...

I still like the King James version. That's what I grew up with.

Rev. Paul said...

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Suz said...

I agree with Old NFO for the same reason, but it is interesting to see the message restated in more modern terms at times. The important thing is that the message is being read and received, no matter the language.

Wishing you and your family a Blessed and Happy Easter.

Rev. Paul said...

Suz - almost all of us grew up hearing the KJV. What I've found is that The Message translation catches people's attention because it's different, and conversational. Like you said, it's being noticed & received, and that's what matters. Thank you for the kind words, and I pray your Easter is the same.

Terry said...

I was having a discussion about religion with a ham radio acquaintance who is Russian Orthodox. He told me the Easter greeting wasn't "Happy Easter" but something that made a lot of sense to me.
TRADITIONAL ORTHODOX EASTER GREETING
It is customary among Orthodox Christians to greet one another during Easter season with the Paschal greeting. The salutation begins with the phrase, "Christ is Risen!" The response is "Truly, He is Risen!"

Rev. Paul said...

Terry, in many denominations, it is "Christ is risen!" followed by "He is risen, indeed!". Variations on a theme. :)

Ed Bonderenka said...

Maranatha.
I think it's important to realize the victory was won on Good Friday and only became evident on Easter Sunday.

LindaG said...

I love the post and all the comments. Thank you, Jesus; and may God bless us all this weekend.

Rev. Paul said...

Ed, I think you're right. :)

Linda, I can only add, "Amen!"

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Thanks Reverend. I have to confess I am a King James Man myself but I am sure that prior to 1521 I would have said I am a Latin Vulgate Man. Thanks for sharing the message.

Rev. Paul said...

TB, I suppose that my use of The Message presupposes a familiarity with the King James translation on the part of believers, along with an expectation that the conversational English will attract the attention of nonbelievers. And see? Here we are, talking about it. ;^)

Toirdhealbheach Beucail said...

Boom! Mission accomplished!