The End of Death
“They cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. ”
The Resurrection of the Flesh (c. 1500) is a fresco in the Chapel of San Brizio in Orvieto, by Luca Signorelli. Its theme 1 Corinthians 15:52, “The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." We remember, at this time of year, that the triumphal resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is but a first-fruits of what we expect of all those who are joined to him by water and the Spirit. It is a strange and mysterious doctrine — as the Sadducees rightly object! — but it is a great comfort and great hope in the midst of the challenges and tribulations that we encounter in this world that is so often so full of darkness, cruelty, and tragedy.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,
— Job 19:25-26
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
I Know that my Redeemer Lives
The ChurchFolk Project at Wheaton College offers a jamming rendition of Samuel Medley’s appropriation of the summative statement of faith we hear from Job in this week’s Old Testament lesson, set to the haunting Sacred Harp tune ANTIOCH.
