April 13, 2023: We Shall All Be Changed!

"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51, ESV)

The Apostle Paul teasingly invites his readers to delve into a mystery. See if you can discover the answer! For Paul, a mystery is that which was once hidden but now has been revealed! He writes in such a way as to make his readers want to seek and discover. Paul answers the mystery and causes us to stand in awe: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed!"

Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians is devoted to understanding the importance of the resurrection. He paints a picture of what that will look like when it happens. The point is: flesh and blood will not inherit the Kingdom. Our bodies as they are now, and in the grave, will not be the ones we have when we are resurrected. He compares our bodies to a seed. That which is sown must die for a new body to come forth. Our bodies will be sown into the earth, both perishable and mortal. But! When raised, they will be unique in that they will be imperishable and immortal, never again to die!

We will have bodies like our Master! The same power that brought Him out of the grave with a new body will also change our mortal bodies. Therefore we can say, "Take that, death! For my mortality is clothed with immortality! You have lost both your victory and your sting!"