August 26
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FIRST FRUITS OF OUR RESURRECTION
20 But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to our God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is clear that this excludes the Father who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
– 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
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In Leviticus 23:9-14, the feast of the first fruits was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath. Jesus rose from the dead on the same day of the feast of the first fruits, the day after the Sabbath following the Passover. Guzik comments that firstfruits is the ancient Greek word aparche. In the Septuagint, this word is used for the offering of firstfruits and in secular usage, the word was used in entrance fee.
In this letter, Paul couldn’t stress enough the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. He reminds the Corinthian believers that Adam brought death but Christ gave us life. When Christ resurrected, he became the offering to God so that he can appease God of his wrath on man’s sinfulness. All who believe in Christ, will also be resurrected as promised by God. He was sacrificial lamb so that we can have eternal life. Paul refers to the promised second coming of Christ, where he will rule over all kingdoms here on earth and in the heavenlies. All earthly rulers and spiritual powers will bow down to him and they will all be subject to Christ’s authority, power and reign. In verses 27-28, Paul specifically puts emphasis on all things will be subject to Christ except God the Father, since he is the Maker of all things. Though Christ is the Son of God, he is still subject to His Father. In Romans 11:36, Paul says in these words about the mystery of God’s plan: For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. He reminds the believers of the purpose of a man’s life: to bring God all the glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for us to remember what our purpose here on earth is?