As I was recently sharing in a Bible study with a group of men at a state corrections facility, I asked them where they were in the line of their siblings. One person said they were second. Another person said they were first. To that individual I noted his response indicated he had other siblings after him or else he would have said he was an only child. Then we talked about the significance of Jesus in this regard.
As Paul wrote to Christians at Rome, he noted it was by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead that He was powerfully declared to be the Son of God. (Romans 1:4) The reality of our Lord’s resurrection is significant to the Gospel message and our hope of eternal salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 12-17)
In Paul’s letter to Christians at Colossae we read. . .
“(15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. (17) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (19) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, (20) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)
That expression “the firstborn from the dead” is also in Revelation 1:5. A reference Paul made to the Corinthians that parallels this is of our Lord’s resurrection being “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) Yes, there were others who were raised from the dead before our Lord’s bodily resurrection. (i.e. Luke 7:12-15; Luke 8:53-56; John 11:43-44) However those eventually died again. Jesus rose to never die again and He is the firstborn of such a resurrection! He being the first implies others to follow. That is the resurrection we look forward to for our entrance into eternity with Him! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) May we trust in the power of His that assures ours to come!
Have a great day KNOWING OURS IS COMING!
Carl
