THE RESURRECTION BODY
After death, when the time comes for the resurrection, how will our bodies be? What form will we take? Paul elaborates on this question and gives us some pointers in 1Corinthians 15;
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” ———-37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: ———–42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. ———–49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.
First, we are given the analogy of a seed and a plant. The bodies we have now on earth and the lives we live are compared to a seed. The new life that waits is compared to the fully-grown plant. The seed that is sown determines the nature of the plant. A healthy seed bears a mature plant, a defective seed, a defective plant and a dead seed yields no plant at all.
Eternal life comes only by a saving faith in Christ’s redeeming work. The extent of a life of discipleship to Christ will also determine the extent of the fullness that we have during eternity. Those who suffer the most for Christ will be the most exalted. Those who fritter away their lives will suffer loss. Every decision we take, every suffering we go through, every wasted opportunity, every word we speak etc., defines the seed we sow for eternity. This happens because we are physical-spiritual beings and the decisions taken in our natural physical bodies define the spiritual reality we have within us. And this spiritual reality, which is being incubated here on earth, comes to full bloom when eternal life is revealed.
Paul also tells us how different our forms will be during the resurrection into eternal life. Even though we would be recognizable by our natures, the contrast in our forms cannot be more evident- the new bodies will be imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual in form. The resemblance to Jesus’ resurrection body will be evident- He was able to pass through physical barriers like walls and the tomb. He was seen appearing and disappearing, yet when He interacted with the disciples, He was recognizable. Thomas could feel his hands and sides and confirm his wounds. He ate fish with them and could physically interact with them. Obviously, this is incomprehensible from a natural standpoint, but when the spiritual reality within us comes to full bloom, the possibilities are amazing.
Reflecting on our resurrection bodies to come brings home the assurance of the same and therefore helps us to redirect our earthly lives more meaningfully.
