AUGUST 26, 1 Corinthians 15:35-44

“That’s ugly!” declared Lisa when her brother showed her a dry object dangling on a branch. “No, it isn’t,” replied Nick. “It’s interesting. It’s called a ‘chrysalis,’ and there’s a caterpillar in there. Or at least, he used to be a caterpillar.”

Lisa frowned. “I don’t like caterpillars.” As she went into the house, she saw her mother wiping tears from her eyes. “What’s the matter?” Lisa asked anxiously. “I just got a phone call,” Mom said softly. “Grannie died.”

Lisa and Nick had never known anyone who had died. They were a little nervous when they went with their parents to the funeral home and walked up to the casket where Grannie lay. “She looks like she’s asleep,” said Lisa softly. A couple of days later, the kids attended the funeral service with their mom and dad, and after the service, they all went to the cemetery where Grannie was to be buried.

Lisa was quiet as they sat in the living room that evening. “I thought Grannie was in heaven, but she was put in the ground,” she said at last. As she spoke, Nick came in carrying the branch with the chrysalis dangling from it. “Look,” he said. “This is just an empty shell now.” He held it up. “It seems funny that this thing was once a caterpillar.”

Mom nodded. “The caterpillar spun a chrysalis around itself. After a while, it burst open and a beautiful butterfly came out.” “Good! I love butterflies,” said Lisa. “They’re much prettier than caterpillars.”

“That’s a good example of what has happened to Grannie,” said Dad. “Remember how crippled Grannie was?” Lisa and Nick nodded. “She has left her old shell-her earthly body-and now it’s like an empty chrysalis. It was buried in a grave today, but the real Grannie has gone to be with Jesus.” He smiled. “One day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns in His Second Coming, Grannie will be given a new and more wonderful body, too.”

Thought: Has someone you love died and gone to heaven? Don’t worry about the old body that was buried in a grave. Remember that the real person has left his body.

Prayer: Father in heaven, I know the Bible teaches that those who love the Lord go to be with You when they die. And You will give them a Heavenly new body, a body much better than the old one. Thank You for heaven, wonderful Father, thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen.