Read: Philippians 3:17-21
We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. (vv. 20-21)

What comfort do Christians have regarding death? We believe in the resurrection of the body. At the moment of death, the Christian believer’s soul enters the presence of our Savior! So, having gotten to know Christ personally, during the losses and limitations of this life, a friend of Jesus can say, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ” (Phil. 1:23).

Then, at the time of Christ’s gracious return, the Christian believer’s body will be resurrected, transformed! Paul’s poor body must have been worn out after his missionary journeys and sufferings. However, Paul was looking above and beyond earth to heaven. He rejoiced in the powerful, returning Savior, “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:20-21).

A personal loss may serve to make our hope for the resurrection of the body more precious. My dad, a music teacher and tenor soloist, was a person of expressed faith and love, character and integrity, smiles and laughter. As a Christian believer, he was a forgiven sinner and a forgiving father. In 2013, lovingly sung home by my mom, Dad was gently taken to be with Jesus. His soul immediately entered into closer friendship with the Savior. And someday Dad’s worn-out body will be raised and changed to be like the “glorious body” of Christ!

Prayer:
Gentle Jesus, with glorious new voices, we will sing you “a new song”!

Author: John Tousley