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April 12 Daily Devotional

The Resurrection of the Body

Frans Bakker

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. —1 Corinthians 15:44

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:42–45

Devotional

A dying man, knowing that Christ had redeemed his soul, requested that at his funeral the minister would speak about the glorified body. He knew his earthly body was going to die, but he also believed that it would simply be sown into the earth, and that one day it would rise in a glorified form. What a privilege it is to believe that Christ not only arose from the grave to secure eternal salvation for the soul, but also for the glorification of the body! What a wonderful future the Lord has in store for His people! They are redeemed forever, even in their body.

Consequently, burial is only a sowing of the body into the earth, because the risen King will gather the harvest when His hour has come. He has redeemed His church, both body and soul. On the Mount of Transfiguration He displayed His own glorified body. In view of His disciples He was transfigured into a body that was exalted above all things. Can we not understand, therefore, that Peter wanted to stay on that mountain? Earthly things have so little value when we have seen something of heavenly glory.

But this was only a precursor of what was still to come. First, Christ’s humiliated body had to die so that He might arise with a glorified body. In this body the blessed Savior now lives in heaven as a guarantee of the eternal salvation of the bodies of His people; therefore, the day will come when His people will be with Him forever in the body. Then Peter and all who loved His appearance may build tabernacles that will never be broken down. Oh what a glorious day that will be!

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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