Whilst occasionally throughout the Bible we read of people who were brought back to life (be it by the prophets, Jesus, or the apostles), we’re reminded here that Jesus was unique in that he was the first to rise and not die again. That’s what is meant by Jesus being described here as the “firstborn of the dead”. But note that it does not simply mean that he was the first who would be raised and not die again, but that for all who trust in him, Jesus’ resurrection is also our future! That, Jesus’ resurrection is the ‘firstfruits’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:20) of a mighty harvest for all who put their trust in him. That means that the more confident that we are of Jesus’ resurrection, the more confident we can be of our own because the two are inextricably linked! What amazing news! That as we put our trust in Jesus, that our future does not get bound up in death, but bound up in Jesus’ victory over death meaning that we can live forever with him, as King. That of course is the image (linked to Daniel) that is referred to in verses 7-8. That Jesus is the mighty King who will come to judge the world, set things right, and save those who have put their trust in him.

Sometimes when chatting with people about the great promise we can live forever, they can remark that the prospect of eternal life sounds horrible. After all, who would want to live forever in a world as we know it now full of pain, suffering, and evil? But that’s not the future that is promised and that’s not the future that Jesus will bring. For when Christ arrives, it will signal not only the death of death itself, but also the death of all that is evil. It is a future that is characterised by God’s good and perfect rule in relationship with his people. AL

Questions

How confident are you that Jesus was raised from the dead? How is our resurrection fundamentally linked to Jesus’ resurrection? 3. What could you do to grow in confidence that Jesus was raised?

Prayer

Gracious Father, how we thank you that our confidence of resurrection is based on the certainty that Jesus was raised from the dead. Please help us to grow in confidence that it might especially spur us on to share this Good News with the world, starting with our frontlines. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.