1 Corinthians 15:35-58
That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;
it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
(1 Corinthians 15:36, 42-44, NASB)
As we stand at the
funeral of a loved one, their absence feels so complete and forever. The death
of this body, this fragile vessel, seems to be the end of life itself. It feels
like the eternal loss of a unique individual unspeakably precious.
But our Father
reigns beyond the veil of death, and He assures us that for those who trust
Him, the death of the body is the beginning of life, not its end. Ours is not a
life that ends in death, but a death that ends in life. This body is planted like
a seed. A seed only comes to life after it dies. It falls into the earth and
disappears, only that a beautiful new life may grow from it.
The death of our
bodies is the necessary first step toward a glorious new life. Every seed is
planted, not to destroy life, but to create it, life infinitely greater and
more glorious than its humble seed. The death of this body is not the
annihilation of a life but its preparation for a future unimaginably greater.
This life, this unique individual will rise as a radiant new being, fully like
the risen, glorified Christ.
This broken body
has served its temporary purpose and will hamper this child of God no longer.
This beautiful soul will be given a new body, one designed to glow with the
greatness and goodness of God Himself. It will be a body made, not for earth,
but for heaven. It will be perfectly suited for love, joy, and worship in the
very presence of God Himself.
What is being sown as a perishable body will be raised imperishable.
It is sown in dishonor, it will be raised in glory.
It is sown in weakness, it will be raised in power.
It is sown an earthly body, it will be raised as a body made for heaven.
This mortal being will be clothed in the splendid garments of immortality.
Death will be swallowed up in life.
“O Death, where is your victory?
O Death, where is your sting?”
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 15:55, 57-58, NASB)
Hymn:
Sown in Tears, Raised in Joy
