17 August 2005

Thoughts on the resurrection continue within the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians.

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1 Cor. 15:42-49)

Paul spends much time attempting to deal with the resurrection of the dead. I must say we do quite the same. Death and its utter finality has a power that threatens us to the very core of our existence. And yet, it is such a difficult task to help people be aware of and then trust in the promise of new life that is available now and forever. We can attempt a well thought out argument that makes much sense....but then, in the end, we are invited to throw ourselves into what may even seem absurd to some. Of great importance is that we take a look at what this "story" does to the life of us - now. Do we live as though the promise has captured our hearts and therefore our lives and we thus live with anticipation for a promised future we cannot comprehend along with a present moment that also has great potential for new life.

Connection: Fear not and take on the clothing of the promise of the resurrection. Let it be for us this day the story that helps us enjoy the fullness of God's Reign.

Trusting in you alone, O Lord of New Life, we enter this day and begin again to face death and all of its power with the promise of your new life. Inspire us that we may be bold in our stance within your power of life in the face of all other powers. Amen.