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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
September 22
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Today's Pathway:
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Paul is concluding his explanation of the reality of a future resurrection for believers. In the verses we looked at yesterday he contrasted Adam and Jesus. He continues with that line of thinking in today's passage. Adam is the "first man" in verse 47. The reasons for this are obvious, for he was the first man created by God. Paul states that Adam was "of the earth". We know that God made man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7), so Adam certainly could be called "earthy". The "second man" in verse 47 is Jesus. Only Jesus could be referred to as both man and the Lord from Heaven. He is called the "second man", because, just as Adam produced the human race, so Jesus is producing a spiritual "race" of people: those who are redeemed. I Peter 2:9 reads,
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people".
The word "race" may not be used there, but the concept is surely present. Finally, in this verse Jesus is referred to as coming from Heaven, as opposed to Adam who came from earth. We know that at the incarnation Jesus became a man, but we also know that He was in Heaven with His Father from eternity past, because He said,
"For I came down from Heaven".
Jesus was always God (John 1:1), but at the incarnation He
"was made in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7).
The wording of verses 48-49 can make them difficult to understand. The idea is that those who are descendants of Adam have the characteristics of Adam, and those who are followers of Christ have the characteristics of Christ. Alfred Plummer explains it this way:
"Each race has the attributes of its Head. As a consequence of this law we who once wore the likeness of the earthly Adam shall hereafter wear that of the glorified Christ. What Adam was, made of dust to be dissolved into dust again, such are all who share his life; and what Christ is, risen and eternally glorified, such will be all those who share His life. A body derived from Adam, will be transformed into a body derived from Christ."
All men have borne the image of Adam, with all its trials, heartaches, and sin. However, those of us who are saved will someday bear the image of Christ.
Philippians 3:21 tells us that when Jesus returns He
"shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body."
Although we do not know everything about what our resurrection bodies will look like, what we know about Jesus' glorified body might give us some ideas. John MacArthur wrote,
"Jesus appeared and disappeared at will, reappearing again at another place far distant. He could go through walls or closed doors, and yet also could eat, drink, sit, talk, and be seen by those who He wanted to see Him. He was remarkably the same, yet even more remarkably different. After His ascension, the angel told the amazed disciples,
'This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven.'
The body the disciples saw after Jesus’ resurrection is the same body that will be seen when He returns again. Just as with our Lord, our bodies, which are now perishable, dishonored, weak, and natural, will be raised into bodies that are imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. That which hindered our service and manifestation of God will now be the marvelous channel of fulfillment. We will have His own power in which to serve and praise Him, and His own glory by which to manifest and magnify Him."
When we think of eternity we often focus on the physical wonders of Heaven, or the fact that there will be no more sin or sorrow. However, something that is often forgotten about is the resurrection body that God has ready for us. I'm so thankful that He has prepared that for me, and I'm looking forward to receiving it. I hope you are as well.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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