Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 2 Chronicles 30-31; Luke 10:25-42
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
12 So if the message that is preached says that Christ has been raised from the dead, then how can some of you say, “There’s no resurrection of the dead”? 13 If there’s no resurrection of the dead, then Christ hasn’t been raised either. 14 If Christ hasn’t been raised, then our preaching is useless and your faith is useless. 15 We are found to be false witnesses about God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, when he didn’t raise him if it’s the case that the dead aren’t raised. 16 If the dead aren’t raised, then Christ hasn’t been raised either. 17 If Christ hasn’t been raised, then your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins, 18 and what’s more, those who have died in Christ are gone forever. 19 If we have a hope in Christ only in this life, then we deserve to be pitied more than anyone else.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. He’s the first crop of the harvest[a] of those who have died. 21 Since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came through one too. 22 In the same way that everyone dies in Adam, so also everyone will be given life in Christ. 23 Each event will happen in the right order: Christ, the first crop of the harvest,[b] then those who belong to Christ at his coming, 24 and then the end, when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he brings every form of rule, every authority and power to an end. 25 It is necessary for him to rule until he puts all enemies under his feet.[c] 26 Death is the last enemy to be brought to an end, 27 since he has brought everything under control under his feet. When it says that everything has been brought under his control, this clearly means everything except for the one who placed everything under his control. 28 But when all things have been brought under his control, then the Son himself will also be under the control of the one who gave him control over everything so that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what are those who are getting baptized for the dead doing? If the dead aren’t raised, then why are they being baptized for them? 30 And what about us? Why are we in danger all day every day? 31 Brothers and sisters, I swear by the pride I have in you in Christ Jesus our Lord, I’m facing death every day. 32 From a human point of view, what good does it do me if I fought wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead aren’t raised, let’s eat and drink because tomorrow we’ll die.[d] 33 Don’t be deceived, bad company corrupts good character. 34 Sober up by acting like you should and don’t sin. Some of you are ignorant about God—I say this because you should be ashamed of yourselves!
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Larry Dickenson
When I think of “first-fruits”, I see in my mind’s eye the first crops from our garden in early summer, or the first apples
we pick shiny and bursting with flavor, or the wiggliest puppy from a litter. These first-fruits are almost too beautiful to believe! Paul identifies Jesus, the resurrected Christ, as the first-fruits, initiating the kingdom of God, where death has been defeated forever.
We are living in the time of that kingdom now, today, with Jesus as our King! Paul then looks forward to that future day, when Jesus’ Kingdom and its citizens, will be delivered up to God for all eternity!! But before that day comes, Jesus will be purifying His Kingdom, making it ready for God’s presence, by destroying all competing dominions, authorities and powers that corrupt human life on earth.
These are the same powers that Jesus the man confronted in His time on earth:
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- The power of society’s rules and attitudes against poor, unwed and pregnant mothers.
- Government authorities, holding onto power, exterminating babies and exiling families.
- Dominions of the unseen spirit world and Satan, tempting us in our own wildernesses.
- Unbelieving leaders and teachers, refusing to accept the possibility of new truths
- Families and friends standing on the side of the road, whose unbelief and doubt create roadblocks for others and make them unable to walk the path of new life.
In my own celebration of Christmas this year, I want to get past the carols, parades, parties and decorations…to focus on Jesus the Christ and King, patiently and persistently purifying our world, while destroying everything that corrupts it. Jesus, preparing His kingdom to be delivered with joy to God, ready for its final fulfillment. Now isn’t that worth celebrating?!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I am really trying see your whole kingdom around me, especially the people in difficult situation, hoping against hope for relief. Strengthen me to draw even closer to You in humility and obedience, that I may be of use in Your Kingdom. Amen.
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