Natural and Spiritual Bodies
Image via Wikipedia "It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body ; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." ( 1 Corinthians 15:43-44 ) In this portion of this great chapter on the resurrection--first that of Christ , then the future resurrection of the redeemed--death and resurrection are compared to seed- sowing and harvest. When a seed is planted in the ground, it is as though it had died and is buried. For a long time after its "death," the seed cannot be seen, but finally it rises again as a beautiful flowering plant, or sheaf of grain, or even a lovely tree. Jesus made this same analogy. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" ( John 12:24 ; note also Mark 4:26-29 ). Our human bodies , because of sin and the curse, eventually die an