September 6, 2007
The Planting
READ: 1 Corinthians 15:42-53
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. —1 Corinthians 15:51
An 8-year-old boy, who was learning in school about the way plants grow, was intrigued when told how a tiny seed that germinates in the ground could later burst through the soil as a plant.
During that same time, he and his family attended the funeral of a family member. At the service, the pastor talked about the final resurrection of our bodies.
Several days later as the family traveled past the cemetery, the boy remarked, “That’s where they plant people.” Seeds planted in the ground and bodies buried at death had connected in his young mind.
The apostle Paul used this same illustration of planting seed to describe death, burial, and resurrection to the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 15). He said that even though the body of the believer in Christ is buried in the ground, it will one day be raised to new life (v.42). Our natural body is weak, but our spiritual body will be free from sickness, decline, and death (vv.43-44). Our new body will be glorified, endowed with power, and like Jesus’ resurrection body.
We look forward to that day when the trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ are raised, and “we shall be changed” (v.52). As we anticipate that day, let’s spread the good news of our victory over death through Jesus (vv.56-57).
That we might one day bloom in heaven,
Our mortal bodies changed to be
Like His through all eternity! —Spicer
