1 Corinthians 15:20-28

 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Paul has been arguing for the belief in the resurrection. In this passage he links the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ to resurrection at the end of time. It is interesting that some people will look to the end or have some picture of a paradise in the future without linking it to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. There is no future bliss unless it grows out of the historical past event of His resurrection.

Paul makes three points that are profound but so subtle that if we are not careful, we will miss them. First, Jesus is described as the ‘first fruits.’ This phrase refers to the first offering of the year’s produce. It was an expression of thanks but also a request for much more, for a great harvest. There needs to be a hope-filled expectation of many ‘little Christs’ to come. This is an indirect call to evangelism. However, first fruits carried another implication. It was seen as a sort of entrance fee or cover charge. The meaning here is that without being part of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we are barred from admission. So how do we participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ?

There is a military word that is used in verse 23 that has great implications for us. We see, “each in his own order, Christ the first fruits…”. The word ‘order’ is only used here in the NT and refers to a military formation. Those who march behind their commander are like him. In the rank and file of a formation, there is a certain uniformity. The implication here is that we are like Christ; by our conversion, we are remade and express the likeness of Christ. Military formations are not the place for self-expression.

The third implication of the resurrection is the transfer of the Kingdom. We are told that Christ’s Kingdom shall have no end, and here we are told that Jesus will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father after all contrary authority and powers have been abolished. Here is our point: it is all about God. We are moving toward His fully and directly expressing  His love for us. This love is expressed in the consummation of all things at the end of the ages. It is unhindered and unveiled by time, sin, death, or distraction. But ultimately all things, and the love He has for us, is that in no way is it about us; it is only about Him. 

“Lord, help me to pattern my life after Christ because of the resurrection. AMEN”