The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 // Psalm 118

“As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.”
1st Corinthians 15:22-23

First-fruits

The first tomato from a new vine tastes so very sweet, and I’m always grateful when the tomatoes start turning red in the summer. Like the ancient Israelites, I want to give thanks to God, offering Him the first-fruits of my garden. The first-fruits are a promise of the good things to come. The first tomato is a sign and a promise that more will follow. To offer up the first-fruit is to live in faith and confidence that its sign and promise will be fulfilled.
The Bible calls Jesus the first-fruits of the human race. He is the One who suffered and died on our behalf. He is also the One who rose from the dead, never to die again, to give us life. As our living Lord and Savior, He is the first to rise to life. But He will not be the last.
Jesus is the guarantee of our own resurrection. In Him, God has promised that He also will raise us from the dead, on the day Christ returns and death is finally destroyed. That will be the day of God’s great harvest, and we will rejoice.

Father, send workers into Your harvest fields, that many people may be given faith, life, and salvation in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

July 21, 2007