First One Risen from Dead Gets Dibs
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
When Jesus talked to Mary on Easter morning, He referred to the disciples at “brothers.” It wasn’t the first time, but it was significant. Just a few days before, He said that they were His friends and not servants because a servant doesn’t know what all the master is doing. He told them everything He was doing so they would see it all happen and know it was part of the plan.
When Jesus rose from the dead, it was the start of a whole new reality. It was the confirmation that our sins had been forgiven. It was proof that Jesus was who He said He was and that He did what He said He would do. As His adopted brothers and sisters, we are now partakers in that same victory.
Despite what all of the silly zombie movies and the taboo around dead people have tried to make us think over centuries, at some point a lot of people are going to come back from the dead and it’s going to be awesome. Jesus rose from the dead to show us that the resurrection is about restoration and reconciliation. Coming back from the dead is a reunion of mankind living at perfect peace with God for the first time since Eden.
The resurrection also gives us confidence as we watch our loved ones die. A confused grandma will be sharp as a tack again. A weak great-grandfather will be laughing and giving high fives. And best of all, there will be no sin. Every one of us that have called on the name of the Lord will be in perfect union with God and no greed, lust, laziness, pride, or covetousness will get in the way.
That is the family that Jesus started when He rose from the dead, and you and I are a part of it.
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