Sadducees don’t believe in a resurrection. They thought they could prove their point and teach Jesus something in the process. So in their Jewish tradition of asking a question and then teaching by discussing the answer, they posed a question for him. Basically, it was if a woman’s husband dies and by their custom she marries her husband’s brother because she had no children, and this happens several times, whose wife will she be at the resurrection?
“Jesus replied, ‘The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die, for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for to him all are alive.’” Luke 20:34-38
I wonder about heaven. What will it be like? What will we be like? Sometimes it is uncomfortable not knowing. But here is a glimpse of it… “can no longer die… like the angels.” Our identity will no longer be in our spouse but completely in our God. After Jesus rose from the dead, he ‘appeared’ and ‘disappeared’ without going through doors, but he ate fish and bread and they touched the nail scars and his side that had been pierced (Luke 24:36-43). This may be a glimpse of how it will be as well.
But what I’m finding is that knowing exactly what it will be like is not so important. What is important is that I will be with the Lord, the one I love, forever. And as I learn to trust him here and now, I am more confident that the future will be awesome and I don’t need to worry too much about it. I can trust him to have it all figured out and under his control.
“Some of the teachers of the law responded, ‘Well said, teacher!’ And no one dared ask him any more question.” Luke 20:39-40
But Jesus wasn’t done. He had a big question for them. “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I can make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” Luke 20:41-44
What was his point? Why did Jesus ask this question? He didn’t answer it like he often did after posing a question. Jesus was using Scripture that they knew but likely didn’t understand. I wonder if he was making a point with them that for all their pride and arrogance, they didn’t know and understand everything. Because if they did, they would have to admit that he was indeed the Christ.
Jesus then turned to the people who were listening and to his disciples and said, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.” Luke 20:45-47
Jesus didn’t have a lot of room for arrogance and pride – especially when it hurt other people. He showed us another way – the way of loving and serving others and giving freely with open hands. God who created the universe and everything in it and is holy has every right to be proud and arrogant, but he humbled himself. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8 That is the heart of God – the most awesome love for us! There is no room for pride and arrogance in God’s family. Only love, mercy and grace. As one of God’s children, I am going to try to be more humble, loving, merciful and full of grace too.
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