LORD’S DAY, MARCH 18
Luke 20:27-38
John 5:24

“…He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me,
hath everlasting life…”

TEACHINGS ON THE RESURRECTION

The Sadducees belonged to a prominent Jewish sect. They were not as many as the Pharisees, a rival sect. However, their wealth and priestly descent gave them an influence which equalled that of their more popular contenders. They only accepted the first five books of Moses as authoritative and denied the resurrection and the existence of angels.

They asked Jesus about the resurrection. Their purpose was obviously to test His doctrines. The teaching about the kinsman-redeemer in Deuteronomy 25:5-10 was raised. It was the responsibility of a relative to perpetuate his brother’s name for continuity of a lineage for the sake of the expected Messiah. They made up the story of a woman with many husbands for they desired to trap Jesus and accuse Him of heresy.

Jesus answered by explaining to them that the resurrected life is incomparable to the present life on earth. Jesus told them plainly that there is no marriage in the resurrection. People will be like angels who will give all their attention to praising and glorifying the Lamb of God (Rev 7:9-10).

“All Christians one day will either be resurrected or be raptured” (Tow and Khoo). Those who are in the resurrection are all alive unto God as Moses understood Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be (Luke 20:37-38). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26). The promise of the resurrection is unto all who have genuinely repented of their sins and have believed in Jesus, sealed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in them.

THOUGHT: Do I believe there is life after death?
PRAYER: Father, grant me faith and hope to look forward to the mansions in Thy Kingdom in Heaven.