1 Corinthians 15: 42-49
By Dave Newell
Think of a grain of corn. Good Midwest heritage. There was an agricultural heritage in Israel. Everyone understood the relationship of a seed to the plant. Very soon the Nebraska farmers will be heading out to plant their corn. May 10th was my family’s magic date.
The process goes like this, plant the grain, cultivate and help it grow, harvest the ear, dry the corn – (maybe on the stalk), shell the ear and place the grains in the dryer or wait until the grain is dry enough to store. Best is 15% moisture content to assure no mold or fungus during the storage process.
Interesting Fact: Dried corn will last 2 to 3 years for most processes. Properly stored corn can last up to 15 years. In the late 1960’s a kayaker found whole cobs of corn buried in a cave in Glen Canyon, AZ. There have been similar discoveries over the past years from shelled corn in earthenware jars to whole cobs. Burying whole cobs was a Hopi technique for preserving corn.
The dark dry caves where the corn was stored were ideal for preservation – dark very dry protected caves. The area where the seeds were found holds a rich history, with over 2,000 archaeological sites dating back to the Basketmaker era (A.D. 1-500) and the Pueblo II and Pueblo III expansion (A.D. 900-1300). The seeds are estimated to be over 800 years old.” (University of Arizona – Native American Advancement, Initiatives & Advancement) The corn was given to a professor (a Hopi tribal member) in 2023 who proceeded to plant and grow corn. The 800 year old corn did germinate and has now reintroduced the ancient corn which is now being grown on tribal land.
Germination: The grain is planted and must absorb about 30% moisture to activate the enzymes that break down the starches in the grain to sugar that feeds the embryo and begins the seed growth. Soon one sees the small seminal root move downward while the upper portion pushes out of the soil seeking light. (What does the grain in the ground look like?
Next, the shaft of leaves pushes through the ground and begin collecting light to enhance growth. (When the grain spouts, what does it look like?
By the way, yes, corn is a form of grass. Maize /meɪz/ (Zea mays), also known as corn in North American English, is a tall stout grass that produces cereal grain. It was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago from wild teosinte. (Te-o-sin-te)
Life Comes Through Death
Remember, Jesus says unless a grain of wheat (corn) dies, it will not reproduce. John 12:24 Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. So, it is with the resurrection… What is the point Paul is trying to get us to see?
Comparisons in the text seem to be focused on the weak and perishable to the power and foundation in the Spirit. He compares us to Jesus. Focal point may be Vs 44 “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” Not that there should be, but there IS a spiritual body. Also, the natural must come first, then the spiritual. To establish the resurrection, Paul takes Vs 12 to 20 and deals with the “what if” that Jesus was not raised from the dead. We conclude that He, in fact, did raise from the dead showing there is a resurrection. In Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Vs 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Note Vs 25 stating- For He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Vs 26 reminds us that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
So, it is with the resurrection of the dead V 42 …
Are all resurrections the same? Previous information: Vs 39 not all flesh is the same. Vs 41 There is one glory of the sun, another of the moon, another of the stars, — for star differs from star in glory. We are all different including resurrection. Why even talk about this? We are going to be different, but what is the point in our day to day lives?
It is a New Identity – adopted as sons, now established in God’s family, His kids, His selected people who have the right to be called His alone. Who now have the privilege of enjoying the fact of eternal life. What has come before? Do you realize we were made for this purpose? We have a new Life, a new Start, a new identity, a new purpose. And now, we are looking at a new eternity! Why? What does God say about eternity?
What is Eternity?
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” He has given us an awareness of His presence in our hearts. Luke 23:43 to the thief on the cross beside Jusus, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradice is a real place where the thief and Jesus will be TODAY. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Promise – for those who believe.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; Believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have not told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” He will come for us! To be where He is. (There is a destination – To be taken somewhere indicates He knows the way and wants us there.)
Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Two destinations. Note both are eternal.
John 3:14-15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” Jesus was the focal point just as the staff with the snake when lifted up in Mose’s time gave life to those who looked at it.
John 20:30-31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
The resurrection – So it is with the resurrection of the dead V 42 … We begin with the realization that resurrection will take place. Paul is clarifying what that will look like. John 3:2 – Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. Why bring this up here? Previous discussion vs 35 to 41 is about differences. God gives the body He has chosen. Life comes through death. What we sow is not what sprouts. Each has its own unique body. God provides a very diverse span of different bodies. That means He has a specific plan for us!!
- V 42 Sown perishable Raised imperishable
- V 43 Sown in dishonor Raised in glory
- Sown in weakness Raised in power
- V 44 Sown a natural body Raised a spiritual body
- V 45 First man Adam became a living being Last Adam became a life-giving Spirit
- V 46 But – Not the spiritual first, but the natural and Then – the spiritual.
- V 47 The first man was from the earth (man of dust) The second man is from heaven
Paul seems to emphasize this – Understand this – there had to be the natural first then the spiritual came next. So, what can we observe in Paul’s progression? The first is weak and powerless, but the final is powerful and life giving. Our weakness will result in power and glory!! The final state will be unlike anything we can imagine!! Just like the corn, If you held each piece separately and compared them, would they look alike? NO, and that is the whole point. That which is dying/dead does not resemble the new life. Vs 42 – continuing with this note, So it is with the resurrection of the dead.
Next Steps
- Understand who we are and whom we identify with. We are unique, specifically created by God because He chose to share His life with us.
Soon after arriving in England, George Mueller found himself so destitute, he was looking in the gutter of the street to see if possibly he could find some lost money. He suddenly realized and acted upon his realization that he was the son of the King of Kings and should not be looking in the gutter but calling upon his Father to meet his needs. He prayed and God more than answered his requests. He started an orphanage fully supported by gifts people would provide to care for the kids and staff. Live like you have inherited the world – because you have. Celebrate our differences and joyously understand you have a very faithful Father and unique future. — we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven! - Live as the child of the King without fear of need – you have an eternal inheritance – We have a unique place before our Lord. We are the only ones who will sit at the banquet table and enjoy the feast the King will provide when we join Him in His kingdom
Be empowered by the knowledge that we need not fear or be intimidated. Approach life with boldness and pursue His work living so that others recognize we are His child. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our foundation is built on God’s plan, we know we will inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 6:4 – We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:52 — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. Not just a hope, but a fact.
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