It Starts Small

 ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

From its very inception to this day, the Jesus movement and the Christian faith passionately confront the undeniable truth of the human experience. We are all born to live and destined to die. We are acutely aware of this truth. Among all of God’s creatures, it is uniquely humans who are aware and reflective. They grapple with the haunting reality of mortality. This awareness naturally ignites profound questions about what lies beyond and the depths of life after death.

Ancient Greek philosophy passionately explored profound theories. One such theory is the soul’s immortality. It remains forever distinct from the decaying body, as articulated by the great Plato. In stark contrast, Epicurus envisioned a universe where the unconscious reabsorption of a deceased person’s bodily “atoms” occurred painlessly. These atoms merged harmoniously with the cosmos. During the era of Jesus, most Jews, except the Sadducees, strongly believed in a bodily resurrection. They anticipated this event for all of God’s people at the awe-inspiring “day of the Lord.”

In Philippians, Paul passionately embraces the common Jewish perspective, a view that profoundly shapes his personal and present life. The vibrant personal encounter with Jesus Christ serves as the very foundation of Paul’s faith. The life, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus are powerful. Fully embodied as a human, Jesus ignites a vision for what it means to truly thrive “in Christ.” For Paul, the declaration that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:21) resonates deeply. He ardently strives “toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus”—the exhilarating goal of resurrection (3:11‒14).

¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Philippians 3:11-14

In the depths of his tumultuous imprisonment, with the dark specter of execution looming over him, Paul clings fervently to hope. He believes this hope could catapult him into the glorious presence of Christ. He envisions a moment where he is “with Christ” (1:23). In this moment, he experiences a profound communion far richer than anything this earthly existence can offer. Yet, he intriguingly refrains from elaborating on the precise nature of his awaited posthumous reunion with the Savior. Nevertheless, his unwavering conviction remains. He believes that just as Christ’s body triumphed over the grave, his own would also be resurrected in triumphant glory.

Such an intense yearning to be with Christ and to “attain the resurrection of the dead” (3:11) ignites Paul’s fervor for the present life. It fuels his dynamic ministry in Christ, as long as God grants him the breath of life. In this heartfelt letter, Paul expresses his hopes and prayers. He yearns for boundless opportunities to serve the Philippians. He also wishes to “continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith” (1:24‒25).

Paul believes fervently in a glorious afterlife with Christ. This belief does not diminish the profound anguish he feels at the thought of death. This is especially true when it comes to cherished friends and companions like Epaphroditus. Paul’s heart swells with gratitude that God, in His mercy, spared the ailing Epaphroditus from the grip of death. This merciful act lifted from Paul the burden of experiencing “one sorrow after another” (2:26‒27).

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