But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
(1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV)
Several of Israel’s feasts included firstfruit offerings. God was to receive His portion first—before anyone tasted a bite of the harvest. This principle applied to everything that the soil produced.
The Apostle Paul applied the principle of firstfruits to Christ’s resurrection. This is a wonderful reminder that Christ’s victory over death is the promise of our resurrection when He returns! Before Jesus ascends into heaven, He reassured His disciples in John 14:2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
This truth is meant for us as well. Heaven is real! Jesus has gone ahead of us and is preparing our place. Someday we will join Him for all eternity. This spiritual reality is not diminished just because it’s difficult to wrap our heads around this truth. Jesus proved heaven is real by going first!