1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Be Still: Lord, thank you for your presence with us now. Thank you for your Word that speaks truth and life. Draw us closer to your heart I pray. Amen.
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (v21-22)
Encounter: Dominoes are fun. Not the game, I still don’t know how to play (much to the confusion of my six-year-old who does), but a domino run – lining them up, brick by brick, spacing them perfectly, making a pattern and then after three, the faintest tap of that first domino and away they go. It’s one of life’s simple pleasure seeing the whole pattern collapsing.
Paul is continuing his case for the resurrection of Jesus. In today’s passage, he explains that death came through a man, one man - Adam. Like a domino run, it was a spiritual chain reaction. As the first domino of sin was flicked, every human life behind it followed suit, falling into separation from God.
However, Jesus coming to earth was all part of God’s redemptive plan - a countermove. As death came through a man, the resurrection comes through a man too. Jesus does more than stop spiritual bricks falling; he is the one who picks up the individual pieces, breathes life into them and restores them back to the original design of God. It’s a miraculous and glorious story that should be daily celebrated. Jesus 'restored' me over twenty years ago and I can't imagine life without him.
‘For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet’ (v25). Jesus will continue to pick up the pieces – and restore them one by one.
Apply: What a day to celebrate the joy of your salvation, to thank God for what he’s done in your life, for picking you up, brushing you down, and breathing new life into you. I thank God for that revelation. Let's pray for many more people to know Jesus for themselves.
Devote: Thank you for saving me. Thank you for picking me up in my mess. God, I pray for those who don’t know you. Please lead the prodigals home, and graciously use me within your plan.
