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So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42–44
D.L. MOODY
As I go into a cemetery, I like to think of the time when the dead shall rise from their graves. We read part of this chapter in what we call the “burial service.” I think it is an unfortunate expression. Paul never talked of “burial.” He said the body was sown in corruption, sown in weakness, sown in dishonor, sown a natural body. If I bury a bushel of wheat, I never expect to see it again, but if I sow it, I expect results. Thank God, our friends are not buried; they are only sown! I like the Saxon name for the cemetery—“God’s acre."
ERWIN LUTZER
Years ago, Rebecca and I visited Herrnhut in eastern Germany. Herrnhut (“God’s watch” or “God’s care”) housed Moravian Christians in the early eighteenth century. The cemetery features a tower with a 360-degree balcony—depicting God watching over their dead. The people were buried according to their choir positions so, at resurrection, they would be ready to sing praises to God!
Christians respect the body because of our fervent belief in a bodily resurrection. As Paul said, the body is like a seed placed in the ground that will eventually grow (be resurrected) into a new, indestructible, and eternal body (1 Corinthians 15:35 –58).
Like Christ, whose body was placed in a tomb, just so, we also anticipate that God will raise up our bodies, recreated in the likeness of Christ. Yes, God watches over the dead, for someday, the trumpet will sound and the dead will live!
So, when death comes calling for you, what will your legacy be?
PRAYER
Father, thank you that I can live in hope of the resurrection.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What does it mean that God watches over His people, even in death?
If someone observed your life today, would they see a hope rooted in the certainty of the resurrection?