What Does It Look Like?

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. (1 Corinthians 15:35-38 KJV)

Without clicking on the graphic, can you tell from the seed what plant will appear? Are we looking at potential grain? Fruit? Nut? Can we imagine the taste, the feel, the size of what will grow on that one stalk?

Why, then, are any of us able to describe what our spiritual bodies will be? I think it’s because of how the gospel writers described Jesus following His resurrection. He was recognizable – well, to most. There was the story of the road to Emmaus, where He wasn’t recognized until He blessed and broke the bread. Also, because of John’s Revelation descriptions, in words we understand, but put together in ways that still seem odd in this world.

Some seeds are quite similar, but produce very different results. Think of tomatoes – seeds that appear to be the same produce anywhere from grape tomatoes to Big Boy. I expect there will be as large a number of varieties in our spiritual bodies. The more problems I have with my current one, the more I think about the differences.

Paul used several examples to show differences between flesh of animals, birds, fish - of celestial bodies, the stars, moon and sun, then between flesh and spirit:

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 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 15:42-44 KJV)

Now, that will preach! In fact, I’ve heard sermons on this very topic, and I hope you have, too.  To me, it means the preacher has studied the Bible and understands there is much more to life that what we look forward to here. We’re told elsewhere:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24 KJV)

Christians expect to spend eternity with God as a spirit, and they need to be studying the spiritual aspects of their own being – not just the physical life we have in this realm. Too often we’re focused on our physical surroundings, limiting ourselves. Open our hearts to the eternal.