Day 298 – Bible in a Year: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

I loved being a mom.  Now that our four children are all grown, hindsight is 20/20.  In other words, I can look back on those days when they were all so little and I had complete control of their lives.  Unfortunately, I didn’t know it then, but what I do know now is that I wish I had cherished those days more than I did!  I felt like I could keep them safe, protect them, and meet their needs!  Now that they are older and have careers and families of their own, I have absolutely no control! 

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, St. Paul is writing the Corinth Church and trying to explain to them why it was so important for Jesus to come and be raised from the dead.  Paul explains that if Jesus wasn’t resurrected, then you and I can just keep on living our sinful life.  Nothing would matter – not the way we speak to others, treat others, or how we live.  Life would be a “free-for-all” to do just what we want to do for ourselves and then just eventually die.  However, with Jesus’ resurrection, we have hope that our lives don’t end and because of that hope, we are grateful and love Christ for what He has done for us.  Our response to God’s love is to love God and love our neighbors! 

However, Paul then goes on to talk about “Subjection.”  He states, “All things are put into subjection” (v. 27).  In other words, God brings us under His control.  This doesn’t mean that God wants us to be puppets and God controls our every move.  What St. Paul is trying to say is that God wants us to have a relationship and a life with HIM!  And, in order to do make that possible, Jesus had to be crucified and then resurrected!  You see, God is like the parent who wants to protect their children, keep them safe, and meet their needs! 

St. Paul states: “God puts all things subjective under Him, so that God may be all in all!” (v. 28).  With God, we are saved, protected, and all our needs are met!  God will be and is, all things to everyone!

Let us pray…Gracious God, you love us so much that you sent your one and only Son to come to this world, die on a cross, face death, and then be raised from the dead.  You did it for us!  You did it so that we have life and grace!  You did it because you love us. Thank you Lord Jesus!  Amen.