Passion Week Teachings 3

Good Morning! 

Continuing our study of the teachings of Jesus during Passion Week …

Matthew 22:23-33 English Standard Version (ESV)

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”

29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

As the religious hierarchy continued its assault on Jesus, they pose this convoluted question.  The interesting factor here comes from the fact that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Like many today, they believed that life ended when a person’s last breath exited the body.  You live, you die and then nothingness.  Jesus immediately corrects them … pointing out their lack of knowledge. 

I cannot imagine living life with no expectation of eternity.  God has been very good to me all the days of my life … but His Word promises even more to those who believe.  His Word also points to eternal separation from God.  These concepts are taught in the Old Testament. One reference is found in the last chapter of the book of Daniel …

Daniel 12:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Time of the End

12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Footnotes:

a.     Daniel 12:3 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8

I look forward to the moment I enter Glory … not pushing it, but knowing that it shall come.  I fully expect to see my loved ones … especially Miss Norma.  But, as Jesus points out, the relationship will be somewhat different … and that’s okay. We will be together again, sharing in worship of our Lord, Christ Jesus.

Today, as we enter the final days of Passion Week, let us remember that Christ is alive and so shall we be.

God bless you on this, another good day in the Lord.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

Prayer: Father, as the song says, I don’t know about tomorrow … but I know You hold my hand and will hold my hand as I go through the end of my earth journey.  Thank You for Your presence this good day.  May the words I speak and actions I take bring glory to You.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Matthew 22:23-33