Read 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NRSV) in light of Deuteronomy 26:1-11. In what sense did Paul refer to the risen Christ as “the first fruits of those who have died”?

The offering of “the first fruits” was an ancient Israelite agricultural practice with deep religious significance. It was a sacred recognition of God as the gracious Provider, who had entrusted His stewards with the land where the crops grew and were ready to be harvested (see Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, Leviticus 2:11-16, Deuteronomy 26:1-11). The first fruits indicated that the harvest was not only starting but also revealing the quality of its products.

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According to Wayne Grudem, “in calling Christ ‘the first fruits’ (Gr. aparchē), Paul uses a metaphor from agriculture to indicate that we will be like Christ. Just as the ‘first fruits’ or the first taste of the ripening crop show what the rest of the harvest will be like for that crop, so Christ as the ‘first fruits’ shows what our resurrection bodies will be like when, in God’s final ‘harvest,’ he raises us from the dead and brings us into his presence.” — Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), p. 615.

It is worth remembering that Jesus came out of the grave with a glorified human body, but He was still carrying the marks of His crucifixion (John 20:20, John 20:27). Does this mean that the risen children of God will likewise bear the physical marks of their own sufferings? In the case of the apostle Paul, will he still carry in his glorified body the “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV) and “the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17, NKJV)?

Until his death, Paul “was ever to carry about with him in the body the marks of Christ’s glory, in his eyes, which had been blinded by the heavenly light [see Acts 9:1-9].” — Ellen G. White, The Story of Redemption, p. 275. But this does not mean that he or any other of the glorified redeemed will be raised with the marks of their own sufferings (compare with 1 Corinthians 15:50-54). In the case of Christ, “the marks of this cruelty He will ever bear. Every print of the nails will tell the story of man’s wonderful redemption and the dear price by which it was purchased.” — Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 179. His marks are what guarantees us that all of ours will be forever gone.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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Read John 20:11-29 and 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. How did the disciples react when they first met the risen Christ?

The two angels at the empty tomb told Mary Magdalene and some other women that Jesus had risen (Matthew 28:1, Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-11). But soon Jesus Himself appeared to them, and they worshiped Him (Matthew 28:1, Matthew 28:9-10; John 20:14-18).

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He appeared also to Peter (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5) and to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, whose hearts were burning while He was speaking to them (Mark 16:12, Luke 24:13-35). When Jesus came into the Upper Room, the disciples were initially terrified and frightened but then filled with joy and marveled at what happened (Luke 24:33-49, John 20:19-23). A week later Jesus came again into the same room without opening the doors, and then even Thomas believed in His resurrection (John 20:24-29).

During the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension, Jesus “was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6, NKJV) and by James (1 Corinthians 15:7). Jesus joined some disciples at the shore of the Sea of Galilee and had breakfast with them, followed by a talk with Peter (John 21:1-23). There might have been other appearances of Jesus (Acts 1:3) before His final one at His ascension (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11). Paul considered himself also an eyewitness to the risen Christ, who appeared to him on the road to Damascus (1 Corinthians 15:8; compare with Acts 9:1-9).

When the other disciples first told the absent Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, he reacted, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25, NKJV). A week later, when Jesus reappeared to the disciples, now with Thomas among them, Jesus said to him, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27, NKJV).

Then Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God!”

And Jesus added, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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