But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”  How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. (I Corinthians 15:35-36)

Questions about the resurrection abounded in Paul’s time just as much as it does today. People asked questions like, “How are the dead raised?” or “With what kind of body will they come?”  I wonder if they were envisioning a zombie movie. It’s hard to imagine or understand something we have never seen or experienced. Many critics even rejected the belief in the resurrection. They couldn’t understand how God might accomplish such a thing.

Paul uses the analogy of planting a seed to help them understand. Interestingly, a seed contains the embryo of a new plant. It remains alive waiting and traveling around until it is time to be planted. When it begins to grow, the seed no longer remains a seed (death). The previous structure of the seed ceases to exist and in its place grows the plant it was meant to be.

This is a good, although limited, picture of the resurrection because for new life to grow, we must first die. We first see this happen when Jesus died on the cross. His earthly body died and was buried. However, when he was brought to life after 3 days, he was raised with a spiritual body. 

This is the same for Christians. When we die, our earthly body will decompose. However, when God raises us from the dead, we will have spiritual bodies. This body will live forever. The weak, sick, unhealthy body that was put in the ground will come up powerful, strong, healthy, and glorious. Our bodies will be changed from the natural to the supernatural. I can imagine we would feel more like superheroes than zombies.

We don’t have to wait for the day that we are raised in glory to start living “in the resurrection”.  Because our sins are forgiven, we don’t have to beat ourselves up over our mistakes and failures. We can accept his forgiveness and live in freedom. Knowing that Jesus loves me so much that he conquered death so that I can live with Him for eternity gives my life meaning and purpose. I can spend my life on earth in relationship with Jesus. The resurrection also gives incredible hope because no matter the obstacle that is thrown our way (even death), Jesus can conquer it. I don’t have to fear the future and I can live a meaningful, hope-filled life in the present.

Lord, thank you for your promise to raise us from the dead one day with perfect bodies that will never get sick or die. I also praise you that you have the power to do this. I look forward to that day when I can meet you face to face.