But now Christ is risen from the dead
and has become the firstfruits
of those who have fallen asleep.
The Jewish people brought an offering to God during the Feast of Firstfruits. It was the first they harvested. Some even say they gave God the first (in quality) from their first harvest (in sequence). God was given the best of their lives and God was put first in their lives. They brought the firstfruits on Sunday, the first day of the week (Leviticus 23:9-10). There is a lesson to us; we ought to give God the first of our time (Sunday), the first of our energy (early), the first of our money (tithes) and make Him the Firstfruits, first in every part of our lives.
Jesus, I give You first place in my schedule, in my strength, and in my love.
The Jewish nation was called a firstfruit offering to God out of all the nations of the earth (Jeremiah 2:3). The first converts in a new church were called firstfruits (Romans 16:5). When the 144,000 arrived in Heaven, they were the firstfruits of martyrs to be offered to God (Revelation 14:4). When Jesus was raised from the dead on the first Easter Sunday morning, He was the Firstfruits of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). When the Jewish people brought a firstfruit offering to God, it was a promise that there was more to follow. When Jesus was raised as the Firstfruits of the dead, it was a promise that all who were in Christ would also be raised.
Lord, I don’t offer You things or money or time; I give myself to You as a sacrifice of firstfruits. Be glorified in me. Amen.
Go Deeper: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
God always wants to be first in our lives.
