Firstfruits
Jesus is our first fruits. Firstfruits are the first of something, such as the first child
born into a family. The Hebrews saw the firstfruits as holy, why? Because the
firstfruits were a taste of what was to come. Dedicating those firstfruits to God was a
way of thanking Him for providing them. The firstborn son and the firstborn of one’s
animals were to be treated as belonging to God.
The firstfruits of any kind were reserved for people God designated, namely, the
priests. The Old Testament uses the term “the first of the firstfruits”. This may be a
reference to the first ripened of the firstfruits, or it may refer to the choicest of them.
The firstfruits were presented to God by bringing the offering to the priest at the
tabernacle and, in later times, at the temple (Deuteronomy 26:22). The priest took
the offering, and of the first day of the week, with arms outstretched, waved it before
the Lord (Leviticus 23:9-12) which says “and the Lord Yahweh spoke to Moses,
saying. Speak to the children of Israel and say to them. When you be come into the
land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a
sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf,
before the Lord, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest
shall wave it”. Jesus as our firstfruits was raised on what we call resurrection day,
and presented before God.
Jesus is our firstfruits; He is the firstborn. Matthew 28:1-10 tells of His resurrection; it
says “in the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,
came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And behold, there
was a great earthquake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came
and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. his countenance was like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers, did shake,
and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women, fear not
you; for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for He is
risen, as He said, come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell
His disciples, that He is risen from the dead, and behold, He goes before you into
Galilee, there shall you see Him; lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from
the sepulcher with reverence and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word.
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And
they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him. Then said Jesus to them.
Be not afraid; go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see
Me”.
In figurative language, the term, “firstborn” sands for that which is most excellent.
This expression is applied to Jesus in several New Testament passages. All of them
point to Jesus’ high standing and His unique relationship to His Father and the
church.
In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is described as the “firstborn over all creation”, indicating
that He existed before creation and actually participated in the creation process
(John 1:3) “all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that
was made”. Jesus tells Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in
Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). Before Jesus’ death; He
said “the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say to
you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone, but if it die, it
brings forth much fruit” (John 12:23-24). In Luke 9:22-24 Jesus tells about His death
and resurrection, the Bible says “the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected of the elders and chief priests, and scribes and be slain, and be raised the
third day. And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life
shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it”.
The phrase, “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18), refers to Jesus’
resurrection, which assures victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him
(Revelation 1:5-6) which says “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. To Him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. And has made us kings and
priests to God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen”.
Paul’s description of Christ as “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29)
refers to His exalted position as head of the church. Because of His atoning death
and resurrection, Jesus Christ heads a new spiritual race of twice born men and
women (Colossians 1:18) “and He is the head of the body, the church; who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the
preeminence”.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul referred to Jesus Christ’s resurrection as the
firstfruits of the resurrection of believers that will occur at Jesus’ return (I Corinthians
15:20-23) “but now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfuits of them
that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every
man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at His
coming”. Paul reveals a mystery (I Thessalonians 4:13-14) “but I would not have
you to be ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him”.
Romans 6:5-11 says “for is we have been planted together in the likeness of His
death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hereafter we
should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. Knowing that Christ being raised
from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him. For in that He
died, He died to sin once, but in that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise reckon you
also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our
Lord”. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith
of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
The Holy Spirit who dwells in all believers is referred as the firstfruits (Romans 8:9), is
also said to be the firstfruits of the full redemption that is yet to come (Romans 8:23)
“and not only they; but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit; even we
ourselves groan inside ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of
our body”.
“Firstfruits” is sometimes used of the first believers in a geographical area (Romans
16:5; I Corinthians 16:15) “likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my
well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. I beseech you,
brethren, you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and
that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints”. They were a kind o
promise of a spiritual harvest to follow in that particular locality. Christian believers
are said to be firstfruits, referring to their status as a unique and sacred possession
of God out of all He has created (James 1:18) “of His own will fathered He us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures”. Similarly, in the
book of Revelation, the 144,000 are said to have been redeemed from humanity as
firstfruits belonging to God and to the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:4).
The author of the book of Hebrews foresees a joyful gathering of the church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven (Hebrews 12:22-23) “but you are come to
mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits
of just men made perfect”.
Even our bodies will be resurrected (I Corinthians 15:49-58); verses 49-52 says “and
as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly. Not this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we
shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye
at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed”. I John 3:2-3 says “beloved, now are we the
sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He
shall appear; we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that
has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure”.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: April 12 2009
Jesus is our first fruits. Firstfruits are the first of something, such as the first child
born into a family. The Hebrews saw the firstfruits as holy, why? Because the
firstfruits were a taste of what was to come. Dedicating those firstfruits to God was a
way of thanking Him for providing them. The firstborn son and the firstborn of one’s
animals were to be treated as belonging to God.
The firstfruits of any kind were reserved for people God designated, namely, the
priests. The Old Testament uses the term “the first of the firstfruits”. This may be a
reference to the first ripened of the firstfruits, or it may refer to the choicest of them.
The firstfruits were presented to God by bringing the offering to the priest at the
tabernacle and, in later times, at the temple (Deuteronomy 26:22). The priest took
the offering, and of the first day of the week, with arms outstretched, waved it before
the Lord (Leviticus 23:9-12) which says “and the Lord Yahweh spoke to Moses,
saying. Speak to the children of Israel and say to them. When you be come into the
land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then you shall bring a
sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. And he shall wave the sheaf,
before the Lord, to be accepted for you; on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest
shall wave it”. Jesus as our firstfruits was raised on what we call resurrection day,
and presented before God.
Jesus is our firstfruits; He is the firstborn. Matthew 28:1-10 tells of His resurrection; it
says “in the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,
came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And behold, there
was a great earthquake for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came
and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. his countenance was like
lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers, did shake,
and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women, fear not
you; for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for He is
risen, as He said, come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell
His disciples, that He is risen from the dead, and behold, He goes before you into
Galilee, there shall you see Him; lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from
the sepulcher with reverence and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word.
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And
they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him. Then said Jesus to them.
Be not afraid; go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see
Me”.
In figurative language, the term, “firstborn” sands for that which is most excellent.
This expression is applied to Jesus in several New Testament passages. All of them
point to Jesus’ high standing and His unique relationship to His Father and the
church.
In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is described as the “firstborn over all creation”, indicating
that He existed before creation and actually participated in the creation process
(John 1:3) “all things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that
was made”. Jesus tells Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in
Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). Before Jesus’ death; He
said “the hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say to
you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone, but if it die, it
brings forth much fruit” (John 12:23-24). In Luke 9:22-24 Jesus tells about His death
and resurrection, the Bible says “the Son of man must suffer many things, and be
rejected of the elders and chief priests, and scribes and be slain, and be raised the
third day. And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life
shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it”.
The phrase, “firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18), refers to Jesus’
resurrection, which assures victory over sin and death to all who trust in Him
(Revelation 1:5-6) which says “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and
the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. To Him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. And has made us kings and
priests to God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen”.
Paul’s description of Christ as “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29)
refers to His exalted position as head of the church. Because of His atoning death
and resurrection, Jesus Christ heads a new spiritual race of twice born men and
women (Colossians 1:18) “and He is the head of the body, the church; who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the
preeminence”.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul referred to Jesus Christ’s resurrection as the
firstfruits of the resurrection of believers that will occur at Jesus’ return (I Corinthians
15:20-23) “but now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfuits of them
that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every
man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterwards they that are Christ’s at His
coming”. Paul reveals a mystery (I Thessalonians 4:13-14) “but I would not have
you to be ignorant brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him”.
Romans 6:5-11 says “for is we have been planted together in the likeness of His
death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this, that our old
man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hereafter we
should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him. Knowing that Christ being raised
from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over Him. For in that He
died, He died to sin once, but in that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise reckon you
also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our
Lord”. Paul says in Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith
of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me”.
The Holy Spirit who dwells in all believers is referred as the firstfruits (Romans 8:9), is
also said to be the firstfruits of the full redemption that is yet to come (Romans 8:23)
“and not only they; but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit; even we
ourselves groan inside ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of
our body”.
“Firstfruits” is sometimes used of the first believers in a geographical area (Romans
16:5; I Corinthians 16:15) “likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my
well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. I beseech you,
brethren, you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and
that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints”. They were a kind o
promise of a spiritual harvest to follow in that particular locality. Christian believers
are said to be firstfruits, referring to their status as a unique and sacred possession
of God out of all He has created (James 1:18) “of His own will fathered He us with the
word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures”. Similarly, in the
book of Revelation, the 144,000 are said to have been redeemed from humanity as
firstfruits belonging to God and to the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:4).
The author of the book of Hebrews foresees a joyful gathering of the church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven (Hebrews 12:22-23) “but you are come to
mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels. To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits
of just men made perfect”.
Even our bodies will be resurrected (I Corinthians 15:49-58); verses 49-52 says “and
as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly. Not this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we
shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye
at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed”. I John 3:2-3 says “beloved, now are we the
sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He
shall appear; we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that
has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure”.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: April 12 2009
