Long ago, while encamped at the foot of the mountain of God, Israel received the Decalogue inscribed on tablets of stone by the finger of God. And with the Ten Commandments, Israel received the comprehensive Law that amplified and applied the sacred tenets to Israel's character, conduct, community, and calling. Among the numerous sacrifices prescribed by the Law was a curious offering called the sacrifice of first fruits. The sacrifice of first fruits was offered, incidentally, during the time of the Feast of Passover.

 

The sacrifice of first fruits was unique in that it required neither blood nor fire. It was an offering of grain, the first fruits of the harvest. The priest gathered a few sheaves of early-ripened grain and literally waved them in the air. The sacrifice of first fruits expressed Israel's gratitude to God as the Lord of the Harvest. In return, the Law assured Israel that God would in time faithfully deliver the full harvest.


Did you know that Paul once said of Jesus: he "has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). In what sense is Jesus the first fruits of those who will be raised from the dead? The answer is wondrous...

 

Jesus was crucified on the Friday and resurrected on the Sunday of Passover week. On Sunday morning, across town--perhaps at the very hour Jesus emerged from the tomb--a priest waved sheaves of grain above his head. But, back at the garden tomb, God offered his own sacrifice of first fruits to followers of Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus, the first fruits from the dead, was God's declaration to humanity, "As surely as I've raised my Son from the dead, I pledge to one day bring forth the full harvest of souls in the resurrection."