1 Corinthians 15.35-49
Today we come to the next part of 1 Corinthians 15. So far, Paul has laid out the evidence in the scriptures and the testimony of the witnesses that Jesus did rise from the dead. He has argued that this makes certain our resurrection from the dead at Jesus’ return. And Paul has explained some of what will happen on that day. At the start of our text, Paul is introducing an objection: “How can everyone be raised from the dead? What kind of body will they have?”
The message of this text is twofold:
- There will be resurrection of the dead.
- We will receive better bodies, to be like Jesus.
First, let us be certain that the dead will be raised to everlasting life.
Though our bodies may decay, God will give us new bodies. Though they will be different to our bodies now, they are still bodies. Though they are bodies like we have now, they will be more glorious.
In verses 26 to 41 Paul introduces 3 illustrations to show the pattern of the resurrection:
First we read of the seed. It is sown into the ground, like bodies being buried, and the plant that grows is different from the seed that was sown – it receives its body from God, as he has chosen, according to the type of seed.
The point is this – there is more than one type of body. We will be raised to transformed, better bodies. As the plant is different from the seed, so our bodies then will be different to now. As God gives the body to a plant, so he will give us better bodies.
Second, different animals have different bodies. As the animals have different kinds of bodies, so our bodies then will be different to what they are now.
Third, just as the stars and moon differ in glory, so our bodies then differ in glory from our bodies now.
In these three images Paul is demonstrating that resurrection from the dead will happen. Of course these old decaying bodies will not be lifted out of the ground! Fool! There are different kinds of bodies, that God gives as he chooses, and these will correspond to what came before. And what is to come is much more glorious than what has come before.
So, the objection does not stand. God will give a new, different, better body. May we be people of confidence, trusting our faithful God.
May we know it for certain: the dead will be raised to life.
Second, when we are raised, we will receive better bodies.
Receive the hope of the resurrection: new bodies! No more sickness or shame or sin or death! We will live forever with Jesus, in bodies like his.
I don’t know how you feel about your own body. Indestructible or failing, strong or fragile, impressive or embarrassing. Let us all hear the good news of the resurrection: though now our bodies are frail and dying, then they will be strong for everlasting life.
Now our bodies are weak, dishonourable, perishable. Then they will be powerful, honourable, imperishable.
Now we are of the dust, like Adam. We bear his image and share his weakness to sin and all its consequences in sickness and death. Then we will have bodies from heaven, like Jesus. We will share his holiness, his indestructible life. This is the climax and the completion of God’s healing and transforming work.
God will give us better bodies, like Jesus’ body, and we will share his life. We will receive better bodies.
I wonder how much this truth shapes our thinking and praying and living. Do we fear death? Do we seek pleasure in this life because we don’t believe there is anything more? Or do we endure sickness full of hope in the day when we will be free from it? Do we thank God that the embarrassment and weakness and fragility of these bodies will be replaced by honour and power and everlasting life?
Jesus rose – the scriptures prophesied it, the apostles witnessed it. When Jesus returns, God will give us new and better bodies, like Jesus’, and we will live with him forever.
So let us be certain: God will raise us from the dead. And let us rejoice: he will give us better bodies.
Let’s pray.
Father, thank you for this sure and certain hope of resurrection from the dead. We are sorry for the times when we have lived as though this body and this life are all we will ever have. Help us to know for certain that we will rise from the dead. Help us to rejoice and give thanks for the better bodies that you will give us. Help us to wait in eager anticipation for that day when we will see Jesus face to face, and we will share his eternal life. In his name,
Amen.