The Resurrection and the Firstfruits

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:20

What does it mean that Jesus was raised from the dead as the firstfruits?

In the Old Testament, the Feast of Firstfruits marked the beginning of the harvest. The first sheaf was brought before the Lord as an offering, set apart and accepted on behalf of the entire harvest (Lev 23:9–14). The firstfruits secured the coming harvest.

What does this have to do with Jesus?

The Bible clearly states that Jesus was raised from the dead on the first day of the week following the Sabbath during Passover (Matt 28:1; Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1; cf. Lev 23:4-11). According to the biblical calendar, this places His resurrection on the Feast of Firstfruits, to the very day!

This isn’t incidental. It is intentional. A fulfillment orchestrated by God from the beginning. For what purpose? To secure new life for everyone who follows Him.

Paul makes the connection clear. “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20). In other words, the resurrection of the dead is not limited to Jesus alone. He is ‘the first’ to overcome death and be raised to life, representing all who will follow Him by faith. As Paul goes on to state, “Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ” (1 Cor 15:23).

Jesus did not simply overcome death for His own sake, but for ours. He is the firstfruits. The representative offering. The guarantee of new life.

How should we respond?

Scripture makes this clear again and again. Because Jesus represents all who belong to Him, those who are in Christ have been crucified with Him, buried with Him, and raised with Him to new life (Rom 6:3-9; Col 2:12-13; Eph 2:5-6; 2 Tim 2:11). This is not just a future promise, but a present reality. We have been given new life in Christ, even now.

Therefore, we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him. We follow Jesus all the days of our lives.

As the Bible says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek bc the things that are above… for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:1–3).

And again, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20).

This is how we are to live: “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

Our life belongs to Jesus. We live for Him. May it be so.

If you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, or perhaps you said a prayer some time ago, but for one reason or another you find yourself not truly living for Him, now is the time to respond and fully receive what Jesus provided for you. He has already died for you and was raised from the dead. Now it’s your turn to respond.

The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. It’s time to receive His gift of eternal life.

Pray this prayer aloud, and mean it in your heart:

Dear God, thank You for loving Me and tugging at my heart today. I believe in You and in Your Son, Jesus. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for me to give me eternal life. I believe You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Today, I commit my life to Jesus. I choose this day to follow Him. I know I am not perfect and make mistakes, but I know You love me and will help me become the person You have called me to be. I love You. From this moment forward, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, or if you made a recommitment to the Lord, this is not the end. This is the beginning. The beginning of a brand new life.

Find a good, solid, Bible-teaching church and attend every week. Get involved. Buy a Bible and begin reading it. The Gospel of John is a good place to start. Attend Bible studies. Pray. Make new friends who will encourage you in your new walk with God. And most importantly, continue to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

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