March 6 -- "What Happens When We Die?"

 

Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

We’ve all wondered about the afterlife – what happens when we die? It's a mystery to many, but for those who believe in Jesus, the Bible offers remarkable insights. In the final part of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul uses the illustration of planting a seed to reveal astonishing truths about our ultimate triumph over death!

He pictures planting a seed. It appears tiny and lifeless. But just wait! Once it is planted, it transforms into a magnificent plant. You plant a "dead" seed, and soon a flourishing plant emerges. There's no resemblance between the seed and the plant. You'd never guess what a tomato looks like from a tomato seed. Similarly, the dead body we bury and the resurrected body that arises will be vastly different.

When we die, it might seem like the end, but it's actually the beginning of something extraordinary for followers of Christ. In an instant, faster than a twinkle in our eye, God will transform us! Our new bodies won't be clunky, weak, or tainted by sin anymore. Instead, we'll be adorned with our incredible new bodies, perfectly designed for life in Heaven. Imagine, no more sickness, no more pain, just pure joy and wonder!

These new bodies will be unique, like the dazzling stars in the night sky. Each one will shine with God's glory in its own special way. And just as Adam, the first man, was formed from the earth's raw materials, we will be formed from "heavenly raw materials" by Christ, the "second Adam." As we bear His image now, we will reflect His glory in our new forms when He comes for us. Our current bodies could not endure the environment of Heaven unless they're changed, and that change happens in less than a blink of an eye, at the last trumpet call.

Many view death as the finish line—the unbeatable enemy. But through Jesus, death is conquered! It's defeated! No more worries, no more fearing the end. We emerge victorious. As Paul says, 'Oh death, where is your victory?'

Here's the takeaway: Knowing that our earthly bodies are temporary and that we will receive glorified, imperishable bodies should encourage us to focus on eternal things rather than being consumed by temporary struggles or material concerns. Since death has been conquered through Jesus, we don’t have to live in fear of the unknown. Instead, we can live boldly, knowing that what awaits us is far better than anything we experience here.

May the God of resurrection fill your heart with steadfast hope and unwavering joy. May you walk in the confidence that death has been swallowed up in victory, and that what awaits you is beyond all comparison.