Day 34: Our Physical Resurrection

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21

Jesus told the disciples that He would send them like the Father sent Him. Does this mean that the Jesus’ followers will die and be resurrected, too? Yes! But not in exactly the same way Jesus did. We have a spiritual death and resurrection, which will be the topic of tomorrow's devotional, and we also look forward to physical resurrection like Jesus’.

When Jesus rose again, He was the same, but different. He not only had a physical body, but it was the same body he had always had, healed and transformed. I Corinthians 15 tells us two things about how our resurrection will be like Jesus’ resurrection.

First, Christians will be raised from the dead. I Corinthians 15:22-23 says,”For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first- fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” Jesus was the first to rise again, and then His people will also be raised again. We can trust that we will live forever, even if we die before Christ returns.

Second, our resurrection body, like Jesus’, will be the same body we were born with, but transformed. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ... For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:51, 53). Our bodies now can be injured, get sick, and die, but someday they will not.

This is one reason that Christians should not fear death and can always look forward to the future. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof and promise that in the future God can and will raise those who love Him. 

Questions for reflection and discussion

  • What does it mean that Jesus is the “first-fruits”?
  • How does the way you live now change when you know you will live forever?

Prayers

Dear God, thank You for Your promise of eternal life. You have the power to make all things new. In Jesus’ name, amen.