“What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!” (NLT) —1 Corinthians 15:50-51
This life is a short journey, preparing the way for something greater. If we can get that idea into our hearts and minds, our perspectives will dramatically change.
When Paul got it, a great mystery had been solved. The meaning of the Resurrection hit him. Flesh and blood cannot inherit a spiritual kingdom. We can’t move into a perfect realm in our current state of being. Our perishable, corruptible bodies must move into an imperishable, incorruptible state. Our mortal lives need to be transformed into immortality.
That’s when Paul said (and you can almost hear the excitement in his voice), “Death is swallowed up in victory!”
He cried exultantly, “Death, where is your sting? Where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
The purpose of Jesus’ death was clear now! Paul understood. He couldn’t wait to tell others.
It really is good news!
After the loss of people I love, this was a wonderful revelation. When I, like Paul, finally grasped the power of the Resurrection, life took on new meaning.
In the closing paragraphs of the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis wrote about the death of some of his characters: “For them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world…had only been the cover and title page; now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read; which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.“1
A few days before I wrote this, my wonderful Mom went to heaven. Our family misses her terribly. I am comforted by her favorite verse, 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
Oh to imagine her with the Lord is encouraging and comforting. I know one day I will see her again.
Jesus taught us, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). He also said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
He is the way to heaven. He is the truth that exposed death as a powerless, defeated enemy. He is the light that can push away the clouds. In Him, we can be free of fear. In Him, we can find the peace that passes understanding. That’s what the Resurrection means.
In Him, we can truly live.
Hallelujah!
1. C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle, (The Macmillan Co., 1956).
