THE POPE’S FUNERAL: LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESURRECTED BODY
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
I just returned home from attending 8 o’clock Mass.
There in front of the altar were lily plants still blooming. They signaled the theme of today’s worship: resurrection. So it was that those gathered offered our prayers, shared our greetings, and then remembered that this life is not all there is for the disciple. We go on to glory.
Earlier I had watched the funeral of Pope John Paul II, starting at 3:30 where I live. It was moving. It was real. It was colorful, joyous, sad and glad.
As cameras focused on St. Peter’s Square, the church, the Papal Palace and particularly the Pope’s apartment window, I recalled being there in the mid-60s. I could feel those breezes and relish in the sunlight smiling on the millions. When the worshipers broke out repeatedly in applause, I could feel their pleasure of soul.
Both at the Roman funeral and the village service I was reminded over and over again of how much the believers have to anticipate. We will have bodies like unto Christ’s resurrected body.
Then I recalled the Gospel records relating what His body was like: identifiable, alive and well, carrying the scars of Calvary, talking and eating, moving here and there through time and space at will, not hampered by mortal barriers of movement.
So our bodies will be like that: identifiable, talking and eating, alive and well, exchanging greetings, rejoicing and moving about here and there throughout eternity without the obstacles of this planetary existence.
The Bible, particularly the New Testament, is replete with hope-filled tidings of the resurrected body: "We have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." I Peter 1:3
"God will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:21
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." Romans 6:5
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." I John 3:2
"For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." I Thessalonians 4:14
"Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?" I Corinthians 15:12
"And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power." I Corinthians 6:14
"As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." I Corinthians 15:49
Apostle Paul wrote with certainty. There was no hesitation. He was absolutely sure of the glorious resurrected body — perfect, everlasting — for each cross bearer.
Christians are burdened with infirmities, doubt, and finally death in earthly span; but when the last breath is gasped, Jesus welcomes the soul into the forever body — like unto Jesus’ risen body.
We tie ourselves too severely to this life with its cares. We really do. We must teach our thoughts to think more of that which He has available to all grace children of all time — everywhere.
Can you think more of heaven? Can you meditate more purposefully on the body that awaits you? Can you praise Him even now for that which He has ready by which to garb you forever where He is?
For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>
I just returned home from attending 8 o’clock Mass.
There in front of the altar were lily plants still blooming. They signaled the theme of today’s worship: resurrection. So it was that those gathered offered our prayers, shared our greetings, and then remembered that this life is not all there is for the disciple. We go on to glory.
Earlier I had watched the funeral of Pope John Paul II, starting at 3:30 where I live. It was moving. It was real. It was colorful, joyous, sad and glad.
As cameras focused on St. Peter’s Square, the church, the Papal Palace and particularly the Pope’s apartment window, I recalled being there in the mid-60s. I could feel those breezes and relish in the sunlight smiling on the millions. When the worshipers broke out repeatedly in applause, I could feel their pleasure of soul.
Both at the Roman funeral and the village service I was reminded over and over again of how much the believers have to anticipate. We will have bodies like unto Christ’s resurrected body.
Then I recalled the Gospel records relating what His body was like: identifiable, alive and well, carrying the scars of Calvary, talking and eating, moving here and there through time and space at will, not hampered by mortal barriers of movement.
So our bodies will be like that: identifiable, talking and eating, alive and well, exchanging greetings, rejoicing and moving about here and there throughout eternity without the obstacles of this planetary existence.
The Bible, particularly the New Testament, is replete with hope-filled tidings of the resurrected body: "We have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." I Peter 1:3
"God will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:21
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." Romans 6:5
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him." I John 3:2
"For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." I Thessalonians 4:14
"Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?" I Corinthians 15:12
"And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power." I Corinthians 6:14
"As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." I Corinthians 15:49
Apostle Paul wrote with certainty. There was no hesitation. He was absolutely sure of the glorious resurrected body — perfect, everlasting — for each cross bearer.
Christians are burdened with infirmities, doubt, and finally death in earthly span; but when the last breath is gasped, Jesus welcomes the soul into the forever body — like unto Jesus’ risen body.
We tie ourselves too severely to this life with its cares. We really do. We must teach our thoughts to think more of that which He has available to all grace children of all time — everywhere.
Can you think more of heaven? Can you meditate more purposefully on the body that awaits you? Can you praise Him even now for that which He has ready by which to garb you forever where He is?
For more: http://conservativeposts.us/ <http://conservativeposts.us/>
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