20 February 2020
Devotion
The hope of the Church
In the previous devotion, we discussed the way in which Christ is the ultimate fulfilment of the sheaf of firstfruits. As 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, He is the firstfruits of our resurrection. In Leviticus 23:10 we notice an even greater depth to this: “When you enter the land I am giving you and reap its harvest, you are to bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the priest.” (HCSB) The feast of the sheaf of firstfruits is a celebration of the Israelites entering into the Promised Land.
As Christians living as part of the New Covenant, we too are waiting for a Promised Land, one that is even greater than the first. Our Promised Land is an eternity with God. This is our hope, joy and expectation as Christians. Just as Christ was resurrected and defeated death as the firstfruits, “in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corithians 15:22, HCSB). That is our hope, our inheritance, that we are but mere vapours passing through this life. Eternity with God is our final destination! Hallelujah!
Prayer
We thank You, God, that just as You promised and prepared a land for the Israelites, You have also promised and prepared a place for us. I celebrate the fact that in Christ we are all made alive. I speak that life over myself, my family and my church.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hebrews 11:8-10 (ESV)
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
