Our scripture this week is Matthew 22:23-33.
“That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.”
Jesus closes His lesson with the powerful statement “He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (v. 32). His point to the Sadducees is that in God all are alive, through His blessing of salvation. Those who believe are called to live with Him eternally, restored to His plan for us all.
Using God’s promise to their ancestors, He teaches them of the kingdom to come, and that there is more to His covenant than just the mortal existence we now know. God’s love is given to us to show how wonderful it will be when we are with Him forever. Jesus said “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36) to teach us that this life is not all there is.
Jesus wants us to expect more than this world can give. We can’t take earthly things with us and we won’t want them when we see the wonderful gift He has prepared for us. Accepting His forgiveness and following Him will take us there.
Eternal God, we are grateful for Your blessings and the promise of salvation. Help us to live out Your covenant that we may be messengers of the kingdom to all Your children. Amen.