The Hope of Resurrection

Firstfruits of the Dead

The tomb was empty. The stone was rolled away. Christ had risen—not merely returned, but transformed. And with His resurrection began something entirely new: a new creation, a new humanity, a new destiny.

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:20–23:

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him.”

This language of “firstfruits” is rich with biblical meaning. In the Old Testament, the first portion of the harvest was offered to God—it was the beginning, the guarantee, the promise of more to come. So when Paul says that Christ is the firstfruits of the dead, he is declaring that Jesus’ resurrection is not a solitary event. It is the beginning of the resurrection of all who are in Him.

Matthew Henry writes,

“Christ’s resurrection is not only a proof of His divine power but a pledge of ours. He is not raised as a private person, but as the firstfruits—as a public figure for all believers.”

This is the breathtaking promise of Easter:

Jesus did not rise alone. He rose ahead of us.

Because He conquered death, we will too. Not just metaphorically, but bodily. The very same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:10-11). We will not be ghosts or disembodied souls—we will be fully alive, resurrected into incorruptible, glorified bodies, fit for eternal communion with God.

Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 15:42–44:

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable… It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

Alexander Maclaren reflects on this hope:

“The grave has changed its meaning because Jesus lay there. It is now a sowing ground, not a prison. The resurrection is not an anomaly—it is the first chapter of what is to come.”

The resurrection of Jesus is not only a past event—it is our future hope and present power. In Christ, death is no longer a final curtain but a doorway. The One who descended into death and rose again now leads many sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10).

And so we wait—not in despair, but in confident expectation. Christ has gone before us. He is the firstfruits, and we are the harvest.

Prayer

Risen Lord Jesus,

You are the firstfruits of those who sleep.

You have broken the curse of Adam and opened the way to eternal life.

Give us faith to trust in Your promise, courage to face death without fear, and joy to live as people of the resurrection.

May we walk in the power of Your risen life, knowing that what You began, You will bring to completion.

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Breaking the Chains of Death

Our Redeemer’s Journey

The Depths of Christ’s Love

Christ’s Descent and Rising Glory

For three days, Jesus’ body lay in the tomb—still, silent, lifeless. To the world, it looked like the end. But the Gospel tells us it was not defeat; it was the quiet unfolding of a greater victory.

While His body rested in the grave, His spirit descended into the realm of the dead—what Scripture refers to as Sheol or Hades. This descent was not surrender, but a mission of triumph. It was not the absence of power, but the declaration that even death must bow before Him.

The Apostle Peter writes:

“He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.” (1 Peter 3:18–19)

The early Church didn’t interpret this as confusion or speculation, but as proclamation. Christ entered the domain of the dead not as a victim but as a liberator, announcing that the curse of sin and death had been broken.

Matthew Henry writes,

“Christ’s soul was not left in hell—that is, in the state of the dead. He went there to break open its gates, not to be held by them.”

This sacred mystery is often called the Harrowing of Hell. Ancient depictions show Christ breaking the gates of Hades and lifting Adam, Eve, and the faithful from their graves into the light. It’s not just art—it’s a vivid portrayal of theological truth: the grave became a passage, not a prison.

The Apostle Paul echoes this in Ephesians 4:9–10:

“What does ‘He ascended’ mean except that He also descended to the lower, earthly regions?… in order to fill the whole universe.”

And in Revelation 1:18, the risen Christ proclaims:

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and Hades.”

This descent was part of a much bigger story—one Jesus hinted at in John 2:19:

“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

At the time, the people thought He meant the physical temple in Jerusalem. But John clarifies:

“The temple He had spoken of was His body.” (John 2:21)

William Barclay writes,

“Jesus was claiming that the function of the Temple was finished. His own life and body were now the dwelling place of God. In Him, we meet God—not in buildings, but in His risen presence.”

Jesus, the true Temple, was “destroyed” on the cross. But just as He promised, He was raised on the third day—not simply restored, but glorified, inaugurating a new creation. As Alexander Maclaren put it:

“He made the tomb a passage, not a prison. The body laid down is the seed of what shall rise incorruptible.”

This descent also brings to mind the sign of Jonah, which Jesus Himself referenced in Matthew 12:40:

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”

Just as Jonah passed through judgment to bring salvation, so Jesus entered the depths—not merely for display, but for deliverance.

He experienced the full measure of death—body, soul, and spirit—not because He had to, but because we could not bear it ourselves. He walked through the silence, the sorrow, and the separation, so we would never be abandoned there.

Paul writes in Romans 6:4:

“We were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

And again in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

The descent into death is not a theological footnote. It is part of the good news:

Jesus has gone to the lowest depths—and come back holding the keys.

Because He descended, we can face death unafraid.

Because He was raised, we will rise.

Because He is the true Temple, God is now with us always.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You entered the depths of death, not as a prisoner but as our champion.

You proclaimed freedom to those who sat in darkness, and You shattered the gates that held us.

Raise us into Your life. Rebuild us as Your temple. Let resurrection power flow in us.

May we trust You in every shadow, knowing You’ve already walked through it—and triumphed.

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Silent Years

Between Loss and Renewal

Navigating Grief Between Abel’s Death and Seth’s Birth

From Mourning to Mercy

Eve’s Path Through Tragedy to Hope

Adam knew his wife again, 

and she bore a son and called his name Seth, 

for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring 

instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.

Genesis 4:25 

The early chapters of Genesis narrate profound events that shape human history: creation, fall, fratricide, and the continuation of lineage. Among these narratives lies a subtle yet significant period—the gap between Abel’s tragic death and the birth of Seth. This interval, though not detailed in Scripture, invites contemplation on themes of grief, hope, and God’s faithfulness.

The Chronology: Understanding the Timeline

Scripture provides specific ages that help frame this period:

• Genesis 5:3 notes that Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born.

Given that Cain and Abel were born after Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden and before Seth’s birth, it’s plausible that Abel’s death occurred when Adam was between 120 to 130 years old. This suggests that Adam and Eve endured the loss of Abel and the estrangement of Cain for perhaps a decade or more before Seth’s arrival.

The Weight of Grief: Living in the In-Between

The Bible does not elaborate on Adam and Eve’s experiences during this period. However, one can imagine the depth of their sorrow: the loss of a son to murder and the effective loss of another to exile. This dual tragedy might have cast a long shadow over their lives, a period marked by mourning, reflection, and a yearning for restoration.

The Birth of Seth: A Testament to Renewed Hope

After this indeterminate period of grief, Eve gives birth to Seth. Her proclamation, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him” (Genesis 4:25), reflects a profound acknowledgment of divine mercy and restoration. Seth’s birth symbolizes a new beginning, a continuation of the divine promise amidst human brokenness.

Theological Reflections: Lessons from the Silent Years

1. Endurance Through Uncertainty: The gap underscores the human experience of enduring prolonged periods of pain and uncertainty, awaiting divine intervention.

2. Faith Amidst Silence: Adam and Eve’s story during this time, though unrecorded, likely involved a deep reliance on faith, teaching us about trusting God’s plan even when immediate evidence of His work is not visible.

3. Restoration and Continuity: Seth’s birth signifies that God’s purposes prevail despite human failures, ensuring the continuation of His redemptive plan.

Embracing the In-Between Moments

The gap between Abel’s death and Seth’s birth, though briefly mentioned, carries profound implications. It serves as a reminder that in life’s silent and painful intervals, there lies the potential for renewal. God’s faithfulness persists, bringing hope and restoration, even when the path is shrouded in uncertainty.

Reflecting on this period encourages us to find solace in God’s unwavering commitment to His creation, trusting that after seasons of loss, there awaits the promise of new beginnings.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in the quiet stretches of our grief, when answers seem distant and comfort feels fleeting, remind us of Your unwavering presence. Just as You granted Eve the blessing of Seth after her profound loss, instill in us the hope that renewal follows sorrow. Help us to trust in Your perfect timing and to find solace in Your promises. May our hearts remain steadfast, knowing that even in our deepest pain, You are at work, bringing forth new beginnings. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria