Now. Wow!

The Corinthians received this from St. Paul:

Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the scriptures, he was buried, and he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the scriptures. He appeared first to Cephas and secondly to the Twelve. Next, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers, most of whom are alive (1 Corinthians 15).

There is something most curious about this text:

The past tense is used when speaking of Jesus’ death, but when speaking of the resurrection of Jesus the perfect tense is used, ‘indicating Jesus’ permanent and ongoing presence with the Church’ (Montague, First Corinthians, 264).

Why the curiosity?

Don’t forget. Paul didn’t write his letters.

No, he preached; a scribe wrote down what he heard, the ‘letter’ was carried off and proclaimed to a community of believers.

The scribe heard something special:

Jesus died in time. Past tense.

Jesus rose from the dead and is present now. Perfect tense.

The power, grace and beauty of Christ’s resurrection happened three days after his death, but is happening now, enabling Jesus of Nazareth, his whole life, especially his loving, sacrificial death, to be present now.

Wow!

Amen.