IMAGINE YOUR RESURRECTED BODY
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)
In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, my wife’s Christmas favorite, people die, become angels, and then must earn their wings. Today, many Christians still think they will become an angel when they die. You won’t, and you don’t get any wings. What’s coming is far better.
We have this stunning promise for those of us in Christ. Jesus rose bodily from the dead; the tomb was empty. He revealed himself to his disciples in a resurrected body that was both spiritual and immortal, yet physical. He looked and sounded like the Jesus they had known. Mary recognized his voice, Jesus ate fish, and Thomas touched him. He had a physical glorified body. And the amazing promise of Scripture is that’s the body we’re promised too.
Paul tells us that Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back (1 Corinthians 15:23 NLT). God is going to take our current weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own. We will need resurrected physical human bodies to live in this new physical heaven and earth. You will still be you. You will have your name, look like you and sound like you, only better because there will be no more pain, sickness or decay.
Some dream we’ll all be forever 20-something. The Bible doesn’t tell us. Thomas Aquinas suggested we’ll all rise in the condition of perfect age, like Jesus at 33. I like that idea; I looked better at 33 than I do now. But honestly, in eternity, age might not even apply. These glorified bodies will be strong for meaningful work in God’s new creation.
APPLICATION: Your body matters deeply to God, both now and forever. Today, honor Him with it. Care for it wisely, use it to serve others, and present it as a living sacrifice. Let the hope of your coming glory shape how you treat this temporary tent.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for the empty tomb and the promise of my own resurrected body, glorious, like Yours. When pain, fatigue or aging weigh me down, lift my eyes to that day. Strengthen my hope in the life to come so I can live faithfully with this body today. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?