Resurrection Based on The Christ
Luke 20:27-47
27 Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. 28 They posed this question: “Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife but no children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.”
- They were sent to try to trip Him up…Sadducees = Rich Priestly Class
- The Sadducees derived their power from their class, not learning
- Their ‘Doctrine’ was that there is no resurrection of the dead… this life is it
- They quote Moses to Christ…They only recognized Moses’ books as scripture
29 “Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children. 30 So the second brother married the widow, but he also died. 31 Then the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them, who died without children. 32 Finally, the woman also died. 33 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her!”
- The extreme hypothetical situation was fabricated to make Jesus look foolish
- Loosely resembles a story in the Apocryphal book of Tobit… 2 O.T. Examples
- Their scenario views resurrection as an extension of this life
- They thought they had the ‘Gotcha’ question!
34 Jesus replied, “Marriage is for people here on earth. 35 But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.”
- They are so focused on this life; not comprehending how different the next is
- Jesus confirms A Resurrection that will constitute a whole new existence
- He confirms there is No Universal Salvation
- God decides who is worthy of The Resurrection, He raises them by on His Will
- They will have an existence not requiring marriage; no need to reproduce
- The Biblical Meaning of Marriage: It is for the purpose of procreation
- ‘Immortal’ being, like angels in this respect (We will be different that angels too)
37 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”
- Jesus uses Moses to refute them (they cannot dismiss it out of hand)
- You say you follow Moses but you don’t follow his teachings (same with Christ)
- Moses wrote God’s view: that those who are truly alive to Him live forever!
39 “Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40 And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.
- This would be Pharisees agreeing with Christ (teachers were not Sadducees)
41 Then Jesus presented them with a question. “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? 42 For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit in the place of honor at my right hand 43 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ 44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”
- Since they wouldn’t ask a question, Jesus can
- He goes to the absolute core of the matter: His Messiahship & His Divinity
- Christ uses this beloved passage to identify Himself
- They were looking for another David; David had pointed them to God Incarnate
- Great insight missed by Jews because they were so corrupt & self-serving
This is Tremendous Revelation: Psalm 110
“How condescending on Jehovah’s part to permit a mortal ear to hear, and a human pen to record his secret converse with his co-equal Son! How greatly should we prize the revelation of his private and solemn discourse with the Son, herein made public for the refreshing of his people!” ~ Charles Spurgeon
45 Then, with the crowds listening, he turned to his disciples and said, 46 “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. 47 Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”
- Christ gives this warning directly to His disciples (You and I)
- Look out for their influence! Beware of becoming like them!
SUMMARY:
You cannot apply the principals and norms of this life to The Resurrection / Heaven.
God decides who will be resurrected, and this next life is eternal.
Those who belong to God have always been and will always be, alive to Him.
Understanding Christ’s divinity as Messiah is a crucial element to Biblical Salvation.
God’s judgement is and will be upon those who steal His Glory and exploit people.
APPLICATION:
What do YOU know from Scripture about Eternity for those God gives salvation to?
What does it specifically mean to YOU to be ‘Alive to God’?
What do YOU know about the Old Testament prophecies concerning The Messiah / Christ?
Why does God want US to know He will punish those who abuse His authority?