16 August 2005

Paul's discussion of the resurrection continues in 1 Corinthians.

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come ?" Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. There is one glory of thee sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; indeed, star differs from star in glory. (1 Cor. 15:35-41)

So many people want to know the details. Details of what!? Details of what it will be like beyond death. That usually means that people want to hear things put in terms of the present day. That is to describe what it will be like by using the images and movements and ways of living that make up the life we now know. This is like trying to define God and being able to only use human images and descriptions as we know them in a physical sense. It just doesn't do us any good. All we need to know about how the dead are raised is that they are raised...do not fear. Even as that is said, we all know what it is to be raised up in baptism. Therefore, we have a glimpse of the life that is beyond us. Maybe not a photo of it...but a glimpse of the character that goes with being raised from the dead and brought into new life. It will all be glorious just as it is all now quite glorious in many ways. With each person raised from the dead to new life, glory shines all around us in ways we may not have considered.

Connection: Take a look at those around you who are a part of the body of Christ. Even when they are so different from you as the sun from the moon, glory shines from them. It would do us well to take another look at such glory that is not us...and yet is glorious indeed.

Lord of the Universe, as you spread out the stars in the sky you also spread out upon the earth elements of your glory that bring life and help us to consider the wealth of you love. Be with us this day as we venture through your glory filled life. Amen.