An earthly reminder of a heavenly promise.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

So is it with the resurrection of the dead.
What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory.
It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  
1 Corinthians 15:42-44a English Standard Version

Flowers rarely bloom on Easter in Colorado Springs. In 2015 and 16, flowers didn’t bloom until May. This is hard for a person like me who grew up in Oregon where Daffodils started showing signs of life in February and were in full bloom in March.

Daffodil soaking up the late afternoon sun.

However, this year Daffodils are in full bloom as I write this blog. In fact, some of the smaller daffodils have already finished their bloom. I mentioned to my wife how wonderful it will be to have flowers blooming on Easter. We’ll have a symbol of life growing in our flowerbeds the day that we embrace the life that is ours in Christ .

Paul uses the imagery of sowing a seed when he speaks of death. Our lives are sown in dishonor and weakness. They are sown a perishable and natural body. But God has promised that one day what is sown in death will be raised to life.

For some of us reading this blog, today’s celebration of Jesus’ resurrection has its own set of tears. The body of someone we love was sown to the earth in death. For those of you who are experiencing tears of grief today, may you know that the promise is true. All who die in Christ, whose sins have been washed in his blood, will one day be raised imperishable. They will be raised in glory and power.

Until that day, may you experience the power of Jesus’ resurrection as you hold to his promise of eternal life.

Photo and text copyright Douglas P Brauner