August 5, 2018 - JESUS IS THE FIRSTFRUITS

Day 217 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 31:25-53; Psalm 35; John 12:12-26)

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:23-24 ESV)

This time of year we get to enjoy the firstfruits from the field... watermelon, strawberries, and corn on the cob. DELICIOUS!

Jesus is teaching us that He will die, but that His death will bear much fruit. And what is the fruit of Christ’s death and resurrection? It is “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” (From the last sentence of the Apostles’ Creed)

St. Paul connected Jesus’ resurrection to firstfruits this way: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 ESV)

What comfort we have in the fact that Jesus is the “seed” that died and bore eternal fruit on Easter! Now, because Jesus lives, you too will live forever in heaven with Him and all other believers. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying and rising for me. May I always remember to find comfort in the fact that You are the firstfruits of all who die in the faith. And that means that heaven is mine for sure.  Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!