When you think about death, you probably imagine your soul going to heaven to be with Jesus.
That’s true. As Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” But there’s more to the story.
We often forget about the resurrection of our bodies. Yes, our souls depart when we die and go to be with Jesus.
But when Christ returns, our souls will be reunited with our bodies, and our bodies will be raised.
What happened to those bodies? They died, decayed, and returned to dust.
This entire creation bears the curse of death.
Paul explains this in Romans 8:19-23: “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility…in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”
You see creation’s beauty, but you also see it groaning under this curse. Death, decay, disasters, earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods all reveal creation’s suffering under corruption.
When Jesus says, “Behold, I am making all things new,” He’s referring to creation itself being renewed.
There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Everything will pass away, but in Christ, it’s made new.
On the last day, when we’re raised body and soul with Him — with bodies that no longer experience destruction or corruption, bodies that won’t return to dust — we’ll have eternal life.
And creation itself will no longer groan.
No more disasters, no more suffering, because Christ suffered for it all and rose again.
In His resurrection, He makes all things new.
Contributor Matthew Zickler is pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Western Springs, IL.
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