Word@Work Luke302 - Luke 20:34-36
Published: Mon, 02/28/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MARRIAGE FOR THIS LIFE
Luke 20:34-36 Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age 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. (NIV)
The Sadducees had laid a trap for Jesus. In order to ridicule His confidence in the resurrection, they posed a riddle about a woman who had multiple marriages because each husband had died. Their question was, "Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?" (Luke 20:27-33). Jesus did not answer the question. Instead He teaches about the nature of marriage. Jesus explains that marriage, sex and procreation are special gifts for our earthly life (Genesis 1:28). However, in the great resurrection those relationships will no longer be necessary or appropriate. Instead of individual families multiplying to fill the earth, all those who are in Christ will be raised to populate the new heaven and new earth - where there will be no more birth or death and no need for marriage or sex. The focus will be on God Himself, as is already the case for the angels.
So Jesus does not dodge the question about the resurrection; He strongly affirms that it will happen. However, He removes the presumption that the 'life to come' will be exactly like this life (only nicer!). The Bible does not give us full details of what that life will be like, because we don't need those instructions right now (the Bible reveals God's mind about those things we have to do, and not those things we would like to speculate about (Deuteronomy 29:29)). But Jesus does make clear that, after the resurrection, life will be different; disconnected from our personal ambitions and pleasures, and totally focussed on Him in the security and joy of being His children.
This does not mean that marriage is unimportant in this world. It is God's special gift to human beings enabling them to live in committed personal security, learning love and service and the enjoyment of relationship. Sex with its powerful emotional impulses needs to be constrained within marriage, so that family groups may develop securely. Marriage is also a parable of the true relationship between Jesus Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22-33). But all the wonderful blessings of human relationship in marriage cannot compare to the overwhelming joy of experiencing the undiluted love, affirmation and relationship with Father God for all eternity. So let those of us who are married treasure this gift, protect it and develop within it until we are called to Glory. For those who are unmarried, remember that marriage is not your salvation - Jesus is: and at the resurrection all of our attention will be on our wonderful Lord. Living in the light of that reality should help us to understand the priority of worship as we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2) whether we are married or not.
Prayer: Loving Lord. Thank You for the gifts of marriage and procreation through which you create a framework for family life. Thank You for the joy of family life and the pleasure of intimacy. However, please forgive me when I focus exclusively on this earthly life, forgetting that it is only for a short while and that the promise of eternity is so much bigger than I can ever imagine. Help me to live wisely, accepting my responsibilities in the relationships You have given me and enjoying them. But help me also to look beyond this mortal life to the day when I meet You. Please strengthen me to worship You in every part of life with the family, work, and community so that You will be pleased when I see You face to face. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The Sadducees had laid a trap for Jesus. In order to ridicule His confidence in the resurrection, they posed a riddle about a woman who had multiple marriages because each husband had died. Their question was, "Whose wife will she be at the resurrection?" (Luke 20:27-33). Jesus did not answer the question. Instead He teaches about the nature of marriage. Jesus explains that marriage, sex and procreation are special gifts for our earthly life (Genesis 1:28). However, in the great resurrection those relationships will no longer be necessary or appropriate. Instead of individual families multiplying to fill the earth, all those who are in Christ will be raised to populate the new heaven and new earth - where there will be no more birth or death and no need for marriage or sex. The focus will be on God Himself, as is already the case for the angels.
So Jesus does not dodge the question about the resurrection; He strongly affirms that it will happen. However, He removes the presumption that the 'life to come' will be exactly like this life (only nicer!). The Bible does not give us full details of what that life will be like, because we don't need those instructions right now (the Bible reveals God's mind about those things we have to do, and not those things we would like to speculate about (Deuteronomy 29:29)). But Jesus does make clear that, after the resurrection, life will be different; disconnected from our personal ambitions and pleasures, and totally focussed on Him in the security and joy of being His children.
This does not mean that marriage is unimportant in this world. It is God's special gift to human beings enabling them to live in committed personal security, learning love and service and the enjoyment of relationship. Sex with its powerful emotional impulses needs to be constrained within marriage, so that family groups may develop securely. Marriage is also a parable of the true relationship between Jesus Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22-33). But all the wonderful blessings of human relationship in marriage cannot compare to the overwhelming joy of experiencing the undiluted love, affirmation and relationship with Father God for all eternity. So let those of us who are married treasure this gift, protect it and develop within it until we are called to Glory. For those who are unmarried, remember that marriage is not your salvation - Jesus is: and at the resurrection all of our attention will be on our wonderful Lord. Living in the light of that reality should help us to understand the priority of worship as we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2) whether we are married or not.
Prayer: Loving Lord. Thank You for the gifts of marriage and procreation through which you create a framework for family life. Thank You for the joy of family life and the pleasure of intimacy. However, please forgive me when I focus exclusively on this earthly life, forgetting that it is only for a short while and that the promise of eternity is so much bigger than I can ever imagine. Help me to live wisely, accepting my responsibilities in the relationships You have given me and enjoying them. But help me also to look beyond this mortal life to the day when I meet You. Please strengthen me to worship You in every part of life with the family, work, and community so that You will be pleased when I see You face to face. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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