Heidelerg 57 & 58

²⁰But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. ⁴²So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. ⁴³It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.⁵⁴When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15 selections)

Thoughts: God cares about us body and soul.  The resurrection of the body is the idea that we will be given a different- super flesh body at the end of time that will make us more complete.  All the weaknesses in our DNA will be erased and restored, and the illnesses (think arthritis, diabetes, alzheimers, obesity) will no longer matter.  We will not worry about the body's survival- for we will have survived.  Our bodies will be made like Christ's resurrected body (able to eat, yet go through walls).  We will enter into a special, unusual joy forever.  

Prayer: Thank you for the hope that we have in you of eternal life and a new self.  

Q & A 57

Q. How does “the resurrection of the body” comfort you?

A. Not only will my soul be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head,1 but also my  very flesh will be raised by the power of Christ, reunited with my soul, and made like Christ’s glorious body.2

1 Luke 23:43; Phil. 1:21-23
2 1 Cor. 15:20, 42-46, 54; Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2

Q & A 58

Q. How does the article concerning “life everlasting” comfort you?

A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy,1 so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined: a blessedness in which to praise God forever.2

1 Rom. 14:17
2 John 17:3; 1 Cor. 2:9