Most of us can think of some things that we have inherited from our parents, or our ancestors even further back. Often inheritance might be money, personal belongings, or even property. Then there are personal characteristics that we can inherit. We might have inherited our hair or eye color from one or the other of our parents or grandparents. Maybe they had dimples and so do we. Sometimes it may be a less positive trait. Someone might inherit a relative’s tendency for depression, or their quick temper. In our Scripture for today, from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, we read of something else we all inherited from a very distant relative. Let’s see what that is.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul spoke about the resurrection of Jesus, how important that is for our faith, and the hope for a future resurrection of all believers. In the early church there were a lot of questions about the resurrection of believers - would there be one, when would it happen, had those who already died miss out on it, etc. Paul begins this passage by stating that among other things, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was a sign for our own resurrection one day (vs. 20). First Fruit offerings were familiar to most Corinthians, both those from Jewish backgrounds, and many of the Gentile believers. These were offerings brought to God of the very first of the crops, given as a thanks to the Lord for the crops, and His promise for more crops to come. Paul was teaching here that Jesus and His resurrection were the first fruits, the guarantee that all believers who die will also be resurrected.
No one likes the thought of dying. Many people refuse to even talk about it, as it is something they fear. We have many euphemisms for the word, as for many the words “die”, “dead”, and “death” are uncomfortable. The Bible declares that death is a curse, something that we all face since the day of Adam. As descendants of Adam, we have all inherited that curse (vs. 21-22). He is the “man” in verse 21. Adam, through his sin, brought death to the whole human race. Just as we inherit physical traits from our parents, we all have inherited death from him. We have not only inherited physical death from Adam, we have also inherited spiritual death, separation from God.
That is bad news, and not a welcomed inheritance. However, Paul doesn’t just have bad news to give us. He has some very good news to share. Christians, those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, have inherited something else. This doesn’t come from Adam. Instead, it comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, as once we are saved we become part of His family. One thing that we inherit is that, just as He was raised from the dead, so shall every believer! Jesus is the “Man” of verse 21, and He brings us the resurrection of the dead. Adam brings us death, but Jesus brings us life, both physical life again when He returns, and spiritual life, as well. Jesus’ death atoned for all sin, making it possible for man to be united again with God, guaranteeing the resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus was the first fruits, giving an assured promise that we, too, will one day be resurrected (vs. 23). That will occur right at the beginning of the Rapture, when the dead in Christ are raised, and all believers who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Paul concludes this Scripture passage by telling us that at the end time, Jesus will deliver His kingdom to the Father, and that all enemies, including death, will be put under His feet (vs. 24-28). This will happen at the end of Jesus’ Millennial reign, when Satan is completely defeated. Satan has held the power of death over us since the day that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. However, Jesus broke the power of Satan at the Cross. As we read here, the resurrected Jesus will conquer all evil, including death! (vs. 26).
Some false teachers and cults say that these verses indicate that Jesus is not equal to God the Father, and that He is somehow subservient. That is a false teaching. God the Father and God the Son, the Lord Jesus, are equal, but each has a special work to do, and an area of sovereign control. Jesus is not inferior to the Father, and His work is to defeat all evil on earth. He defeated sin and death on the cross, and when He physically returns to earth, Jesus will once and for all defeat Satan. At the end of His Millennial reign He will present to the Father a perfect, new world.
That is a time that all believers can look forward to! All those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will have new, resurrected bodies, and a new world to live and worship the Lord in. Will you be there? If you are not sure, call upon the Lord Jesus today!
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