Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 13
Christ the Firstfruits
There is a period of 8 days in human history that was pivotal in redemption history. These are the days beginning on Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem sitting upon a colt and the people cried, “Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna to the highest” (Matt. 21:5, 9; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-38; John 12:12-19). It culminated in Christ’s death on the cross on Friday and His resurrection from the dead three days later on Sunday!
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (KJV) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
The church throughout the period after Christ’s resurrection and His subsequent ascension to heaven awaits His return to take the church to glory – the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16b-17). “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” are uplifting words of present joy in the Lord that the Apostle Paul wrote for the church’s encouragement.
The process of expiating human sin was well documented in the gospels of Christ’s passion from Gethsemane to Calvary, Christ was betrayed, tried, whipped, crucified, mocked and finally died. Why does Christ have to die? The Apostle Paul explained it is so that we may receive the atonement. The word “atonement” means “reconciliation, restoring to favour”. Man’s sin has alienated him from His Creator, Christ’s sacrifice has provided for man the way back to God.
Romans 5:6-11 (KJV) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Christ’s blood was shed so that all who trust in Christ and Christ’s atoning work have their sins cleansed.
Because Christ rose from the dead and is alive forevermore, He leads the way for the harvest of souls in the glorification of the church at His coming again. What a glorious prospect!
Let the church be firmly established in the truth of the Word of God and give thanks for the harvesting of souls in these last days through His church fulfilling the Great Commission – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. Amen.