1 Corinthians 15:1–8
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
A Devotional on Unshakeable Hope
James and Jude knew Jesus in a way no one else did. They were his half-brothers, growing up alongside him, witnessing his life from childhood. They heard his parables, watched him heal, and yet, they were skeptics.
The gospel of John records that even during his ministry, his brothers did not believe in him. Mark’s Gospel tells us they once thought he was “out of his mind” and tried to intervene. Imagine the emotional turmoil of watching a sibling, with whom you shared a home, be executed on a cross.
But that wasn’t the end of their story. The Apostle Paul, in laying out the evidence for the resurrection, mentions a special, personal appearance of the risen Christ to James. This encounter changed everything. The proud, skeptical brother was humbled and transformed into a pillar of the early church in Jerusalem. We see his full belief in Acts 1:14, where Jesus’ brothers are gathered in the upper room with the disciples, praying. James, who once doubted, became a leader known for his wisdom and commitment to justice. Jude, too, became a faithful servant, later writing the epistle that bears his name.
This dramatic conversion is a testament to the power of the resurrection. It offers profound hope for our own lives and for those we are praying for.
Hope for the doubter
Perhaps you, like James, have wrestled with doubt. The idea of Jesus rising from the dead might seem far-fetched, or maybe you’ve grown up around faith but never truly owned it for yourself. The story of James reminds us that faith is not just for the disciples who witnessed everything, but for the doubters, too. The resurrected Jesus met James right where he was, and he will do the same for you.
Hope for the intercessor
Many of us are praying for family members or friends whose hearts seem resistant to the Gospel. The example of James and Jude is a powerful reminder that we should not give up. Jesus pursued his own family, turning their skepticism into steadfast belief. Our earnest prayers for unbelievers can tap into that same resurrection power that broke through the hardness of James’s heart.
Hope for the wounded
Family rejection is painful, and no one understood that more than Jesus, who was dishonored by his own relatives. The reconciliation that happened after the resurrection reminds us that our broken family relationships can be healed. God specializes in turning hurt into wholeness and division into unity.
Reflection
Consider the skeptical attitude of James and Jude toward their brother, Jesus. How does their transformation give you hope for those in your life who do not yet believe?
Think of the person you have been praying for. What specific resurrection power do you want God to demonstrate in their life?
Prayer
“Lord Jesus, thank You for pursuing James and Jude and for meeting them in their unbelief. We praise You for the power of the resurrection that transforms hearts and minds. We pray for those in our lives who are resistant to Your truth. Break through their skepticism, as You did for James, and draw them into Your family. Give us a resilient and unshakeable hope as we continue to pray. In your name, Amen.”
