Firstfruit

I Corinthians 15:20-23

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Back in the Old Testament a sheaf of grain before the harvest was “set apart” for the Lord.  Here in the New Testament we are told that Christ is a kind of a firstfruit for those who have died.  He is set apart, exalted, and presented to God as the final word on death. 

Death entered the world because of the sin of man.  Life was reinstated, in fact, the victory over death, because of the life and death of Christ.

This really is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions.  We serve a living God.  We serve a powerful God who conquered death, who was set apart, and now sets us apart to himself if we believe.

These bodies in which we live are going to die.  That’s a given.  But the Spirit that lives in those who believe will live forever.

I have a mother-in-law who has severe dementia and cannot converse except for a few words.  However, when we sing hymns with her that touch her spirit, she sings every word, on pitch, clearly and distinctly.

That tells me something.  Her Spirit is alive and well because of Christ. And though her body and mind is failing, she will live forever in praise to the One – the firstfruit – who was raised from the dead.