The Firstfruits
Photo image courtesy of Pixabay.
“But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.”
-- 1 Corinthians 15:23 (NLT)
Have you ever picked peaches?
When I was in junior high, my grandparents retired to a place in the country with a large garden, a few apple trees, and room for a small Christmas tree farm. They loved working outdoors and regularly sold their produce. Then my grandfather planted over a hundred peach trees of a variety called White Champion.
Peaches are a little harder to harvest than apples. Apples can fall to the ground without getting much damage, but not delicate ripe peaches. Peaches are also tougher to pull off the stem, as you must be careful not to squeeze them too hard. Grandpa’s orchard bore many bushels for a few years, and helping to pick the delectable fruit consumed the month of August.
Eventually, the orchard aged out, as did my grandparents.
Fruitfulness is a major theme in the Bible. God told Adam and Eve to fill the earth with their descendants, who would then cultivate and eat of the food He provided. Once the Israelites reached the “land of milk and honey” they were to celebrate the Feast of the Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim) after every Passover. The theme of bearing good fruit also refers to the results of “the fruits of the Spirit.” Paul notes these in Galatians 5: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” in contrast to the sins he had just listed.
While Passover is a moveable feast (the date can change each year), the Feast of the Firstfruits was fixed—the first Sunday after Passover. Before eating any of their crops, the Israelites were to bring the first grain bundle to the priest for a sacrificial wave offering before the Lord, as a promise of the coming full harvest. Because of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection, Jesus became our Firstfruits, and fulfilled the meaning of the Jewish festival.
When Christians celebrate Easter/Resurrection Sunday, we echo the Jewish tradition of the Feast of the Firstfruits and look forward to our resurrection to come.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And one who is wise gains souls.” (Proverbs 11:30, NASB)
Questions for Reflection:
1. The Lord gives us all unique gifts. What is your strongest one?
2. How can you use that gift to lead souls to Christ?
