Our scripture this morning is 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I have read this scripture at numerous funerals because it reminds us that death is not the end. It is comforting to know that when we die our faith in God will lead us from earthly life to a new existence. It is hard to imagine and harder to describe because our human bodies and minds don’t have the capability of understanding or experiencing what that transformation will be like.
Paul reminds us that Jesus came to save us for eternal life. That is the best gift we could ever receive, to be cleansed of our sins and live with God. This is the hope we have in Jesus, that we go and do as He asks because He loves us and we love Him in return.
God’s plan for us is too wonderful to fathom and we live in faith that His promise of eternal life is there for us to accept. We don’t have to live in fear, merely existing until our bodies wear out. By repenting and returning to Him in love, our resurrection at the last day is assured.
Heavenly Father, we are thankful for our savior coming to be one of us. Through Your love we are made new and blessed to eternal life. Amen.