1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Recently on a Saturday afternoon my youngest son and I were at “back to the bricks” classic car festival in Flint. It’s fun to walk around downtown Flint and see these cars from brand new to 100 years old. The contrast in technology from the first cars to today is incredible. The reliability and comfort in modern cars are so good, we take them for granted. My grandpa would tell stories from his childhood, and I remember his story about going to Lake Michigan in the 1920’s. The family would load up in the car and head to the beach for about a 100-mile round trip. On a hot summer day during the trip, they would have 1-2 flat tires. This was very common as they traveled, they would see other cars along the way having the same issues. The reliability and quality of the tires back then required constant repair. This was an open-skirted car that had to be cranked in the front to start. Compare that to our stress today. If the air conditioner doesn’t cool off fast enough, we think we have it bad. I have a heater on my steering wheel, so my little hands aren’t too cold in the winter. We have it good when it comes to our vehicles, comfortable, reliable and they are built to last.
In our passage we are given a comparison of our current state here in this world and what it will be like when we step from this world into the next. The comparison is our natural bodies we are enjoying today versus our glorified bodies that we will receive in the future. The comparison should excite and motivate each of us to take our journey of faith more seriously. The question is what happens to a believer’s body after the resurrection of the dead? The thrust of the comparison is that our current bodies are not ready to experience the glory of God or existence in the kingdom of God. “Perishable to imperishable” is a powerful promise that the physical ailments here on earth are of short duration to what we will experience in heaven. Vs. 43- “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power,” ESV. When we receive our glorified bodies, we will experience God and His blessings without the lens of sin and pain. The dishonor and weakness are gone; there is nothing left but the goodness of God in every aspect of our life. This is like going from a model T car to a luxury sedan of today. The Model T doesn’t hold up to the power, reliability or comfort that we have today. In the same way as my body will change from perishable to imperishable, my current state cannot comprehend the wonder and magnificence of my future glorified body.
This doesn’t mean that I can’t glorify God today. I can glorify God through my actions and devotion to God. There is still a purpose in strengthening my faith walk. The promise of our glorified state in the future is exciting and encouraging as I try to grow closer to Jesus. At “Back to the Bricks” there were many cars that had been salvaged from a junkyard and brought back to life. These cars were given up for dead, but someone breathed life into them and restored them to their former glory. Jesus is going to do that to each believer, restore us from dishonor to honor and glory. Maybe you feel like you are a wreck, that there is too much damage to be restored. You’ve been hurt emotionally, physically and maybe spiritually. Your mess is not too much for the master builder Jesus Christ. Jesus takes that which is broken and needs a second chance and heals and makes them whole. Bring your hurt to Jesus. He can give you a new beginning.
In our passage we are given a comparison of our current state here in this world and what it will be like when we step from this world into the next. The comparison is our natural bodies we are enjoying today versus our glorified bodies that we will receive in the future. The comparison should excite and motivate each of us to take our journey of faith more seriously. The question is what happens to a believer’s body after the resurrection of the dead? The thrust of the comparison is that our current bodies are not ready to experience the glory of God or existence in the kingdom of God. “Perishable to imperishable” is a powerful promise that the physical ailments here on earth are of short duration to what we will experience in heaven. Vs. 43- “It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power,” ESV. When we receive our glorified bodies, we will experience God and His blessings without the lens of sin and pain. The dishonor and weakness are gone; there is nothing left but the goodness of God in every aspect of our life. This is like going from a model T car to a luxury sedan of today. The Model T doesn’t hold up to the power, reliability or comfort that we have today. In the same way as my body will change from perishable to imperishable, my current state cannot comprehend the wonder and magnificence of my future glorified body.
This doesn’t mean that I can’t glorify God today. I can glorify God through my actions and devotion to God. There is still a purpose in strengthening my faith walk. The promise of our glorified state in the future is exciting and encouraging as I try to grow closer to Jesus. At “Back to the Bricks” there were many cars that had been salvaged from a junkyard and brought back to life. These cars were given up for dead, but someone breathed life into them and restored them to their former glory. Jesus is going to do that to each believer, restore us from dishonor to honor and glory. Maybe you feel like you are a wreck, that there is too much damage to be restored. You’ve been hurt emotionally, physically and maybe spiritually. Your mess is not too much for the master builder Jesus Christ. Jesus takes that which is broken and needs a second chance and heals and makes them whole. Bring your hurt to Jesus. He can give you a new beginning.
Posted in Devotional