The Fourth Sunday of Easter (NT)

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

                  “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

            55       “O death, where is your victory?

      O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 15:50–58). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

There is no greater mystery in the world than Life itself.  People do not come back from the dead.  People are perishable, but the body raised from the dead are imperishable.  All people will fall asleep or die in the flesh, but the Kingdom of God is imperishable.  The mortal can not inherit the immortal or imperishable.

But St Paul still tells us, he is talking about a great mystery.  God has revealed many great mysteries through his Word.  This mystery is like nothing else.  This is the mystery of Life Eternal.  For most of us we express desires to live a long time, but once you have experienced long life most are ready to be rid of it.  But this is eternal life without suffering or shame.

The great mystery is Victory over death and mortality.  Jesus Christ has killed death.  He has swallowed it up in Victory.  He has defeated the great enemy.  He raises us from death to life.  He provides us with immortality.  Thus, with the certainty of the resurrection and eternal life, we can remain steadfast. This great mystery is revealed to us as a certain hope.  You have been given the Kingdom of God as your imperishable inheritance.