Title First Fruits
Contents
Hymn: 155 (New Hymn 165) 'Glory to the Lord'
Meditation: As believers who profess the faith in the resurrection of Jesus, we are the ones who rule the world with the power of resurrection.
Confession of Faith: Apostles' Creed
main text: '… He rose from the dead and became the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).
What would be the greatest event in human history? It is the resurrection of Christ that fundamentally solved the problem of death and despair. Jesus died on the cross for His people and rose from the grave on the third day. Since this event is the first true resurrection event, the text expresses it as 'the first fruits'. What are the first fruits? It brings us to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (verse 20). Jesus is the 'sleeper', that is, the One who rose from the dead forever. Others, such as Lazarus, were temporarily resurrected and then died again. But they are not resurrected. Only Jesus is truly restored. Therefore, Jesus is the firstfruits of the perfect resurrection (verse 23). This is the resurrection of life (John 5:29). The resurrection of Jesus is an event prophesied from the time when the firstfruits were sacrificed to God. It is not an accidental recycling or a rigged recycling.
Adam did not keep the covenant and drove all mankind into sin and death, but on behalf of his people (saints), Jesus accomplished the Resurrection that solved the problem of sin and life. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus, the firstfruits, became our true hope. Humanity's greatest challenge was 'solving death'. But no one has been able to solve this problem. Confucius, Shakyamuni, and Muhammad also succumbed to death, so there is no Easter in their religion. But Jesus broke the tomb this morning. From now on, let us remember the resurrection of Jesus, the firstfruits, when there is fear and suffering of death. When the life of the truth is exhausting and difficult, when the world tempts the chastity of faith, when poverty and disease are heavy, when we miss the other side of the Jordan River in the valley of the shadow of death, let us hold on to the vision of the 'firstfruits'.
Prayer: God, even though we believed in the power of resurrection, we did not enjoy the power of resurrection. Forgive me and have the power of resurrection to overcome the world. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer