Luke 20:27-39 ²⁷ Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. ²⁸ “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. ³⁰ The second ³¹ and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. ³² Finally, the woman died too. ³³ Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. ³⁵ But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, ³⁶ and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. ³⁷ But in the account of the burning 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.’^{[a] 38} He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

³⁹ Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”

This passage reminds me of two things.  First, the story I heard about the world’s greatest minds and leading scientist requesting a meeting with GOD.  At the meeting these great scientists explained to GOD how HE was no longer needed.  “Man, they explained, has evolved to the point that they could design and create anything you can using our great minds and technology, GOD is obsolete.”  GOD said “let’s test your assertion with a simple contest.   If you win I will agree to whatever you demand.”  The scientist eagerly agreed and GOD said all you have to do is create a man using dirt.  “No problem”, the scientist responded with glee as they immediately began to scoop up dirt from the ground.  “Not so fast, came the voice from GOD, you need to get your own dirt.”

How easy is it to question the Creator of the universe?   JESUS knew the questions even before these would be inquisitors did.   Always he flipped the script so that the challengers became the challenged.  The creations are no match for their CREATOR.

The second thought is the glimpse JESUS gives us of the real life to come for those of us who believe.

³⁶.…and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.   

What awesome unimaginable wonders lie in front of us beyond this life, all because our LORD would not be deterred from HIS mission!  Notice HE does not use the future tense.  HE says “they are” not “they will”.   Even though the mission was yet in front of him, he already knew how it would end, just like he knew the Sadducees’ questions before they were asked.  What a privilege it is for us to share in that knowledge.  No matter what we are dealing with here and now we know the end of the story.  We know the best is yet to come.

HEAVENLY FATHER we give you thanks and praise this day that you have guaranteed our future through the incredible life and death of YOUR SON.   What a joy to know that we will do real life once this earthly one is over with YOU forever in glory and splendor.  Remind us FATHER when our faith wonders of YOUR mighty love and unbreakable promise.  In JESUS name we pray.

Jim L