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REFLECTION

“God gives body to the seed” is the theme for our reflection. “God gives body to the seed” means God is responsible for a seed maturing into a plant or a crop. We shall focus on the fact that death and burial of the body is like planting a seed in the soil but the germination, growth and maturity of the seed are likened to God’s power of resurrection and the renewal of our bodies.

Dear friend, 1 Corinthians 15:35-44 is Paul’s response to the fake and misleading teachings making waves in the Church of Corinth about the fact that there is no resurrection after death. The consequences of this fake teaching made some people live recklessly and shamefully since they believed that there was no resurrection and judgement after death. Paul used the agricultural metaphor or the concept of sowing and germination to explain to them that death and burial are like sowing a seed in the soil, however, the germination, growth and maturity of the seed into a new plant or crop are like the resurrection of the body. “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). In other words, death does not end our lives but becomes a process of transformation and transition into our new and eternal nature. Paul had hitherto explained to the Corinthians that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. ²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.” (1 Corinthians 15:17-21). We are again reminded in 1 Samuel 2:6 that “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up“

Beloved in the Lord, the resurrection of the body teaches us to live a heaven-conscious life while we are still alive on earth or are yet to experience the first death and burial, which are likened to the process of sowing. Both the unrighteous and righteous shall experience the first death and resurrection. The good news is that the Lord has assured us that the righteous or the“…. victorious will inherit all this (the Kingdom), and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:7). However, the unrighteous, “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars —they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8). Dear friend, “God gives body to the seed” or the resurrection is real, therefore, let us live purpose-driven and heaven-conscious lives.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “God gives body to the seed” We have discovered that death and burial of the body is like planting a seed in the soil but the germination, growth and maturity of a seed are likened to God’s power of resurrection and the renewal of the body. Resurrection is real therefore we are greatly encouraged and admonished to live purpose-driven and heaven-conscious lives even as we await the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, grant us the strength and discernment to live a purpose-driven and heaven-conscious life. Above all, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” Amen. (Psalms 90:12)