I love fresh fruit and/or vegetable salads of all kinds. When I was a child, we either had a small garden, a family member had a big garden, or we would stop at roadside stands where people sold their crops; we were always able to get fresh produce. Although they are very convenient, I have noticed bagged or prepackaged salads perish very quickly. In fact, the ones I have purchased from the grocery store rarely make it to their “best used by” date without signs of spoilage.
We may try to forget this little fact, but these physical bodies of ours are also prone to decay or “spoilage.” It is part of being human with natural bodies that are subject to sin and death (1 Cor 15:53). But, Jesus came to bring us eternal life not just natural life (Jo 3:16). In fact, these decaying bodies are not the believer’s end result; our hope in Christ is not limited to this life.
Jesus came to bring us spiritual life; he preceded us in death and resurrection. Christ is the first of a great harvest of all who have died (1 Cor 15:20). Unless Christ returns before we die, our earthly bodies will return to the ground, but one day will be resurrected into transformed immortal spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15:44). Our natural bodies will be sown into the ground, but will be raised in glory! Do you ever wonder what our spiritual bodies will be like?
According to Scripture, our spiritual and glorious bodies will never be susceptible to sickness, disease, or death. In fact, our new bodies will be perfect for serving and worshiping God; no longer hindered by natural law. Our resurrected bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, so we need a body that is basically suited for heaven.
Think about Jesus after his resurrection and how he appeared to the disciples; his wounds were still visible, and his disciples could touch his physical form, yet He was able to travel effortlessly and appear and disappear at will. He could go through walls and doors yet could also eat and drink and sit and talk. Our spiritual bodies will be the perfect host—fully alive—with the Spirit of God. No more hindering or grieving, just honor and yielding.
1 Corinthians 15:42-49 NLT 42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.”[ But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for not only these physical bodies you have designed for us, but thank you for the promise of a future perfectly transformed body. No more weakness, just glorious strength and power in the Spirit to live righteously for eternity. What a glorious hope for your children! In Jesus’ name. Amen.