“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
1 corinthians 15:19-20
The theme of 1 Corinthians 15 is the glorious truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the resurrection life that all who believe will share with Him.
If our hope is limited to what we can do or become in this world, we will be disappointed. But Jesus has risen to a glorious new life, and He is the firstfruits! A glorious new life lies ahead of all who belong to Him, and in this chapter, Paul is giving us a little glimpse of the resurrection life that we will share with Christ.
Earlier in his letter, Paul said, “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:9-10).
God has prepared a resurrection life that every Christian will one day share with Jesus. But we are told here that no one has ever seen or heard of the things that God has prepared for us. In fact, no one has ever even imagined what God has prepared for us. So, no Christian should expect to read about the resurrection life and say, “Ah, I get it now. It’s all perfectly clear to me.”
What Jesus has prepared for us is so great that it is beyond our capacity to grasp. We can’t take in the full brightness of the sun. But we can all see something of its brilliance and enjoy living in its heat and its light.
Make it your prayer that you will see enough of the glory and joy of your future life to gain strength and anticipation as you press on in following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
