Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.
Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “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. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 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, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 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.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
Once again Jesus is engaged in discussion with the teachers of the Law, this time a group known as the Sadducees. They were Jewish religious leaders who believed in strict application of the written law with no allowance for circumstances. They are attempting to trap Jesus regarding the resurrection of the dead with an absurd situation.
Jesus has been debating with the Jewish elders since He was old enough to worship in the Temple. Luke 2:41-49 relates the story of the boy Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem after Passover, in discussion with the teachers, and “everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:47). Jesus shows us that God’s word is essential to our lives, and that our understanding and application are based on our relationship with God.
Jesus knew exactly what was right. His understanding of scripture is not based on human experience or personal desires. Jesus knew that reading God’s word, discussing our reactions, and asking God in prayer what His will is for us was the way to connect with God and obey His commandments.
Gracious God, you have given us Your word in scripture. Bless us to study, learn and apply Your law in our lives to Your glory and for the good of Your people. Amen.