Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Easter: Celebration of new life in Christ
1 Corinthians 15:42-58
Vs58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Even a first-time reader of the Scripture cannot ignore the extraordinary promise of the resurrection of the dead, warning of final divine judgment, the promise of mercy to all those who believe in the one true God, and ultimately, they obey the will of God as revealed by the prophets.
The Gentiles, in the ancient Greco Roman city of Corinth, came to believe in Paul's proclamation of the crucified and risen Messiah. We also long for an escape from our physical bodies that will someday perish. Paul ends the chapter with commands to stand firm in true belief and action.
The first comparison Paul uses to illustrate the resurrection body is that of a seed and plant. By being buried in the ground, the seed seemingly dies and decomposes, yet in the same spot, a new life emerges in a totally different in appearance from the original seed. This passage further unpacks the need for bodily transformation. Our frail and mortal humanity cannot survive in God's eternal and perfectly Holy presence. Verse 51 further describes about the time at which this transformation will take place. The secret that Paul is revealing here is that believers’ bodily resurrections will occur when Christ returns. Not all Christians will die and some of us will be alive when He comes back but all will undergo whatever transformation is necessary to give them their glorified bodies. This change will take place instantaneously not gradually. The climax of the series of events for believers is destruction of death itself as Isaiah had.
In conclusion, Paul reminds us that it is the resurrection and hope. This hope alone keeps believers from around the world from despair. This hope helps them remain faithful. There are some extensive principles that affect all of us and they are:
1) Good is stronger than evil
2) Love is stronger than hatred
3) Life is stronger than death
This thought is very relevant in a current situation where the whole universe is living under the fear of a pandemic COVID-19. The author is also suffering from the same infection and I am writing this on my eighth day of this virus attack. I consider my 14 days of self-isolation as the 14 days of preparation, proclamation, and protection because we have an affectionate God, afflicted God, and a great assuring God. This plague is not for destruction but for our deliverance, for a new beginning to experience new blessings. I am very much relieved because we can praise our slaughtered lamb who knows the lamentations of our heart. The world might grieve the loss of loved ones and have a certain anxiety related to the unknown factors surrounding their own death but neither reaction ought to be like the rest of men who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The hope of resurrection should encourage those of us who remain alive to persevere in a long obedience in the same direction.
The Gentiles, in the ancient Greco Roman city of Corinth, came to believe in Paul's proclamation of the crucified and risen Messiah. We also long for an escape from our physical bodies that will someday perish. Paul ends the chapter with commands to stand firm in true belief and action.
The first comparison Paul uses to illustrate the resurrection body is that of a seed and plant. By being buried in the ground, the seed seemingly dies and decomposes, yet in the same spot, a new life emerges in a totally different in appearance from the original seed. This passage further unpacks the need for bodily transformation. Our frail and mortal humanity cannot survive in God's eternal and perfectly Holy presence. Verse 51 further describes about the time at which this transformation will take place. The secret that Paul is revealing here is that believers’ bodily resurrections will occur when Christ returns. Not all Christians will die and some of us will be alive when He comes back but all will undergo whatever transformation is necessary to give them their glorified bodies. This change will take place instantaneously not gradually. The climax of the series of events for believers is destruction of death itself as Isaiah had.
In conclusion, Paul reminds us that it is the resurrection and hope. This hope alone keeps believers from around the world from despair. This hope helps them remain faithful. There are some extensive principles that affect all of us and they are:
1) Good is stronger than evil
2) Love is stronger than hatred
3) Life is stronger than death
This thought is very relevant in a current situation where the whole universe is living under the fear of a pandemic COVID-19. The author is also suffering from the same infection and I am writing this on my eighth day of this virus attack. I consider my 14 days of self-isolation as the 14 days of preparation, proclamation, and protection because we have an affectionate God, afflicted God, and a great assuring God. This plague is not for destruction but for our deliverance, for a new beginning to experience new blessings. I am very much relieved because we can praise our slaughtered lamb who knows the lamentations of our heart. The world might grieve the loss of loved ones and have a certain anxiety related to the unknown factors surrounding their own death but neither reaction ought to be like the rest of men who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The hope of resurrection should encourage those of us who remain alive to persevere in a long obedience in the same direction.
PRAYER
God of Mercy and New Life guide us in the season of Great Lent to let go of what burdens and weighs us down. Lead us to seek habits and virtues which renew our spirits and open us to serve those around us with generosity and joy. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.” F W Tomkins
Shijy Alex, Chicago Mar Thoma Chûrch
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Shijy Alex, Chicago Mar Thoma Chûrch
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church