July 26

Text: Matthew 22:30-33

 "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 'I AM 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."  And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. (NASB)

In this statement, Jesus did something unusual for him.  Most of the time when he was questioned, he addressed only what he was asked—unless the asker(s) pressed him.  Here, without being pressed, he addressed marriage in resurrection and also the reality of resurrection.

Resurrection addresses realities that go beyond our experiences or thinking.  Most of us cannot imagine a human sexless existence.  Nor can we imagine such an existence being superior to and more enjoyable than a sexual existence (if the sexual existence is constructively and responsibly expressed).  The frequent mistake people make is to think of resurrection in physical/biological terms.  It is not unusual for major theology to be based on such mistakes. 

Jesus said, “Regarding the reality of resurrection, I call your attention to something from scripture you accept.  God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not I was.  God is the God of the living, not the dead.’”  Jesus’ point: resurrection always has been a reality since sin deceived people—even with Abraham, the beginning of the Jewish people.

The biblical statements concerning the existence of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were accepted by the Sadducees without question.  They had not considered the meaning of those statements in regard to resurrection.

Suggestion for reflection: The reality of resurrection existence goes beyond the realities of physical existence.  (Read Mark 9:2-8.)