Old Testament reading: Proverbs 19-21
“Never be ashamed of honest work.” These are the words I gave to one of my son’s friends who was waiting on us at a local fast food restaurant. He appeared a bit sheepish as he took our orders. So, when the other boys were seated, I encouraged him to take pride in his labor. Proverbs is filled with encouraging words concerning hard and honest work. At the same time there are many curses and disparaging words for the lazy. There is at least one in each chapter of today’s reading: “Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger” (19:15, cf v 24); “The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing” (20:4); “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor” (21:25).
New Testament reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16
If 1 Corinthians 13 is “The Great Love Chapter,” then 1 Corinthians 15 is “The Great Resurrection Chapter.” Beginning with the gospel, emphasis is given to the proofs of the Lord’s resurrection. Noting the inconsistency of obeying and serving the Lord if there be no resurrection from the dead, Paul appeals to Jesus’ resurrection as proof of our own. But when will this resurrection take place? There are two passages in this chapter that tell us when this will be, not in the sense of a specific date and time, but in relationship to an unavoidable event, namely, the second coming of Jesus. In verses 22-24 there are two events that must be understood as taking place at the same time: 1) the resurrection of all those in Christ and are Christ’s at His coming; 2) the end of the world when Christ delivers the kingdom to God. Another is found in verses 51-55. Amazingly, this text is often cited in defense of the fictional and false doctrine commonly known as “the rapture,” i.e., a secret disappearance of all the saved before the coming of the (also fictional) anti-Christ. But look closely at the text. Yes, we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, but when does it say this change will take place? At the last trumpet! Moreover, when this trumpet sounds, death will be no more. Let the text teach what it teaches.
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