Day 17
Completion: The First Fruits
Paul goes on in verse 20 to say that Christ receives the first fruits. What does that mean? Great question. It means that he has started a new option. He is the FIRST to live and die but live again in eternity. Adam was the first to breathe and then to die. Christ was the first to live and then live again. The Kingdom of God isn’t about a place where we get to play golf, shop until we drop and live in our heavenly mansion. The Kingdom is about his majesty and his glory. The reason Christ came as the First Fruit is to give us the same fruit. That we would receive the spoils of his victory that we would receive the FRUIT of his Labor on the cross.
1 Corinthians 15:20–28
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
REFLECTION:
Jesus says in the Gospel that you are either for me or against me. What does this verse say about those who are against Christ?
What are some of the fruits of Christ’s Victory over his enemies are you embracing now?
Paul reminds us of Christ’s Authority over all things with the Completion of His mission. What areas do you need to give Christ more authority in your life?
PRAYER
Spend time thanking Jesus for his victory over death and his invitation to join his Story. Also, pray for someone who is close to you but far from God that may need to receive this free gift of salvation.