I woke up this morning with a certain excited anticipation of where my reading plan would be taking me in the Word today. In particular, I knew that I’d be starting into the book of Ruth today. Love the book of Ruth. So glad to move on from the downer of the vicious, dysfunctional cycle of the Judges. As I’m thinking about it in advance I think to myself, “Ruth is a game changer. It’s the oasis in the desert of the judges. It’s the beginning of a turnaround in Israel . . . and throughout history.” Her story seeds hope in a time of tremendous despair and bitterness. It presents the kinsman-redeemer and foreshadows the great Kinsman-Redeemer. It’s the prologue to the throne of David . . . and ultimately to the King of kings. And so, as I started in on my first reading of the morning, I enjoyed taking in again the opening chapter of Ruth . . . knowing how the story is going to end. But then my reading plan took me to 1Corinthians 15 . . . and that, my friends, is the real game changer!

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared . . .    (1Corinthians 15:3-5 ESV)

Shame on me if I ponder this great truth and this great passage only once a year at Easter. This is the game changer . . . Paul says it is “of first importance” . . . that “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain . . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (15:14, 17). Anticipate all you want the types of Ruth . . . the shadowy pictures of the Redeemer . . . the feel-good happy ending of her love story . . . but this is the meat . . . this is the real thing . . . this is clear as crystal . . . this is the foundation of our faith.

How excited should we get as we hover over these words, “Christ died for our sins . . . He was buried . . . He was raised . . . He appeared”? Pretty!!!

This is the gospel . . . it’s the good news . . . the stuff by which we are being saved (15:1-2). Though Paul wasn’t a follower of Jesus of Nazareth . . . though he wasn’t vested in that dreadful Friday . . . though he was clueless on that glorious Sunday . . . when Christ did appear to him, “as to one untimely born”, it was the first thing delivered to him . . . the first thing he got . . . as he was facedown on that road of Damascus he knew, absolutely knew, Jesus had risen . . . “in accordance with the Scripture” (15:3-9).

How amazing is the resurrection of Christ? God’s “amen” to the work of the cross. God’s “well done” to the faithful obedience of the Son. God’s “let’s do it” to the saving of souls for all eternity. A dead savior is no savior at all. A buried king is no king at all. A hidden god is a god which can not appear to those in need of a god.

But our Savior is a risen Savior . . . able to save indeed. Our King is the King who left the grave, who shed the tomb . . . able to reign indeed. And, our God is the God of appearances . . . first “to Cephas, then to the twelve . . . then He appeared to more than five hundred . . . then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles” . . . and then . . . as I own Paul’s words as my own . . . “He appeared also to me!”

You ask me how I know He lives? Because I have encountered Him . . . I have experienced His game changing reality . . . because He lives within my heart.

Not new truth for the believer. But may it never become old truth . . . nor worn out truth . . . nor truth that ceases to raise the head (and hands, if you’re so pre-disposed) and cause the redeemed to joyously declare “Hallelujah! He is risen! He is the Game Changer . . . and I know how the story ends!”

To Him be all glory and praise . . . amen!