Jesus the First Fruits

Jesus the firstfruits
1 Corinthians 15:12-23

The word “firstfruits” occurs 33 times. In each instance it carries the idea of the first of something.

The “firstfruits” were the first part of the crops being harvested that Father required the Israelites to bring as an offering, and not only the first, but the best of the first.
Deuteronomy 26
Exodus 23:16, 19

This offering was intended represent the whole harvest as truly belonging to the Lord because he called Abraham, sent him to Egypt, made a great nation out of him, brought them out of Egypt, gave the increase of the land, and that the earth and all that is in it truly belongs to him.

This offering was also intended to represent the Israelites belief that the Lord would continue to give them what they needed in further harvests; therefore, it was a joy to bring the first and best as an offering.

When it comes to Jesus’ resurrection, he is called the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep.

Jesus’ resurrection was not a new thing. God had raised people from the dead before.

1 Kings 17:22 The widow’s son by the hands of Elijah
Luke 7:14 Jesus raises the widow’s only son on their way out for burial
Luke 8:49-56 Jesus raises the ruler’s daughter

So, what does it mean that Jesus is the “firstfruits” of those who have died?

Just like the “firstfruits” of a harvest and the later harvest are related, so Jesus’ resurrection and the resurrection of his followers are related.

As the harvest of the first and best being offered to the Lord displayed that Father was going to give what he promised in provision for his people, so the resurrection of Jesus as the “firstfruits” displays that Father is going to raise those of his people who have died in Christ.

This is a promise Father makes, and Jesus death and resurrection is his pledge that he is going to keep that promise to give us life!

Acts 26:23
By being the “first to rise from the dead” the point is being made that Jesus is our representative.

When Paul says to Agrippa that Jesus was the “first to rise from the dead” he was not ignorant of other people who were raised.

He was saying that Jesus is representative of what Father has promised to do for us.

As our representative, what has Jesus given us through his resurrection?

1. He has caused us to be raised spiritually

Baptism is our picture of this

Romans 6:4
Paul’s insistence that the increase of sin is met by the increase of grace (5:20) leads to the question he now raises.

His emphasis on the freeness of God’s grace in the face of sin has led to the accusation of antinomianism (lawlessness) and the lack of moral restraint.

So he makes the point that to continue in sin would involve a contradiction of the Christian’s new identity (v. 11).

Christians are to refuse to allow sin to usurp authority in their lives, and instead are to yield the whole of life to God (v. 12, 13).

So, baptism, the sign and seal of initial union with Christ, baptism is the burial ceremony of the “old self” (v. 6) as well as the inauguration for the new person in Christ (v. 4).

From 5:20 – 8:4 sin is presented as the driving force that produces sinful acts, and it is personified as a taskmaster that demands dominion but must be resisted.

So, foundationally, baptism signifies union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, and union with Christ is the source of every element in our salvation.
- Our baptism displays the truth that we have been raised spiritually
- Our old nature has been buried with Christ in his death and we are no longer
enslaved to it
- Our new nature has been raised with Christ in his resurrection and we have the
capacity to live in it
- We now walk in new life with Christ
- Our new life is one of putting to death the tendencies leftover from our
old nature

Ephesians 2:4-7 (see verse 6 specifically)
- We have been raised up with Christ
- We can discern lies from the truth
- Yannick Basabakwinshi – spiritual conflict is disguised as lies in the
states
- We can combat lies with the truth daily
- We have been seated with Christ in the heavenly places
- We do not have to be blown and tossed by the spiritual conflict around us
- We have authority over the evil one
- We have the only weapon that can defeat him (sword of the Spirit)
- We sufficient battle gear (truth, righteousness, readiness with the gospel,
faith, salvation, scripture)
- He shows us the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness


2. He guarantees that we will be raised bodily
1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 50-58
- If Jesus is risen, then he will raise his own at his coming
- Randy Alcorn, Heaven, Tyndale House, 2004.
- ISBN 0-8423-7942-8
- This will be heaven
- Our perishable bodies will be imperishable and immortal
- Death is finally forever defeated
- We will reign with Christ forever

3. He Guarantees fruitful labor in the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:58
- Because Jesus defeated death and has graciously given us that victory:
- We must be abounding in the Lord’s work knowing it will not be vain