New Bodies
Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. If time permits, read 1 Corinthians 15:1-58.
New bodies. The concept of having a new body has been something I’ve been mulling over these past few weeks especially. In the space of about six weeks, my last grandparent has died at the age of 99, two family members close to me have been diagnosed with rare tumours, and I’ve caught COVID for the second time. The last occurrence is obviously less significant, yet a timely reminder that my body, along with everyone else’s body, is somewhat flawed. We get tired. We fall ill. We succumb to injuries. We might be plagued with mental illness or diagnosed with a condition. Our bodies are, whether we like it or not, perishable. They are prone to fail us time and time again, especially if we are run down or under stress. This is especially true as we continue to age, even if we are careful to maintain our bodies well through exercise, healthy eating etc.
Yet, for those who follow Jesus Christ, there is a marvellous promise given to us in this great “resurrection chapter” of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Notice what Paul says, “the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable…it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;” There is such a juxtaposition of terms used by the apostle here, what is now perishable will be raised imperishable, what is now weak, will be raised in power, etc.
This has stunning implications for those who are in Christ, because whilst we might have a perishable body now, we have a great and sure promise that it will be raised to be imperishable, changed, forever. Why? Well, put simply, because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. And if we are in him, if we have placed our trust in him as our Lord and Saviour, we too will be raised to new life in him. This is something that must happen (v53).
Why must it happen? Again, the answer is put simply: because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. God has given us this great victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (v57). He is the paradigm of all that will be happening to and for us in the future. Just as Jesus himself received a new body in his resurrection, we too will be receiving new bodies. His death and resurrection have guaranteed that for us.
So, even in our weak and failing bodies, we can have assurance to stand firm in the truth of the gospel. We look forward to this future where we will receive new bodies. We know that our earthly bodies here on earth will not last. It is only temporary. Because of that, we can let nothing move us. And we can give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord because we know that our labour in the Lord is never in vain. Whether it is our role as parents, our role in our place of employment, or our role as students in a school, what we do for God is not in vain. This is all because of the victory secured for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
– Debbie Mayne
- Pray that we will continue to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
- Pray that we draw strength and encouragement in knowing that all our labour here on earth for the Lord is not in vain.