Word@Work Luke303 - Luke 20:37-40
Published: Tue, 03/01/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE GOD OF THE LIVING
Luke 20:37-40 But in the account of the 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." Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" And no-one dared to ask him any more questions. (NIV)
Although the Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus about the resurrection, He used their question as an opportunity to teach about the nature of life and death. Showing that He fully honoured the text of the Old Testament as God's revelation, Jesus refers back to Exodus 3:14-15 when God speaks to Moses at the burning bush. In asking God for His identity the Lord describes Himself as the ever-present one, "I AM who I AM": He also describes His relationship to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the present tense. Jesus interprets this as meaning that God still had a living relationship with the three patriarchs, even though they were physically dead and buried. And so Jesus explained that Moses believed that the dead will be raised to life.
In showing from the Old Testament that the resurrection of the dead was a normal expectation for those who trusted in God, the Pharisees were delighted and commended His answer. For the Sadducees (who thought that 'once you are dead there is nothing more'), the potent reality of Christ's resurrection would be irresistible just a few days later. But that then opens a bigger question. "If the Old Testament dead are raised and Christ is raised from the dead, then what about everybody else?" The Bible is clear that no human life is ever extinguished or annihilated; everybody will rise at the Judgement and face their eternal destiny based on how they have responded to the grace of Christ (Daniel 12:2).
This teaching about the immortality of the soul is as important as the teaching that God is always present. Early writings from the Old Testament made that clear (Job 19:25-27). The New Testament writers taught that the believing soul is immortal (1 Corinthians 15:38-44); but so is the unbelieving soul (2 Thessalonians1:8-9). However, it is an uncomfortable teaching for those who have not received God's grace. Those who resist the love of Jesus may hope for the idea of annihilation or even reincarnation: but Jesus eliminates both ideas. But what He does say is a powerful spur to believers to share the gospel message so that the lost may be found (2 Corinthians 5:11). We know that nobody can escape the eye of the ever-present God or a final encounter with Him on the last day. That is why it is so important to place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord - sheltered in Him we are safe from the Judgement; but, without Him, there is no hope in eternity (www.crosscheck.org.uk).
Prayer: Eternal God, my loving Heavenly Father. Thank You that You never change, that You are always present, and that one day I will see You face to face. Thank You that all those who have died are still alive to You and that everybody will meet You so that You will judge fairly according to their response to the grace of Christ. Yet I am freshly aware of the awesome privilege of being Your child, and the terrible consequences for those who resist Your love. Help me to be a good ambassador for Heaven, able and willing to explain Your gospel so that others will know how much You love them and how to receive forgiveness. 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
Although the Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus about the resurrection, He used their question as an opportunity to teach about the nature of life and death. Showing that He fully honoured the text of the Old Testament as God's revelation, Jesus refers back to Exodus 3:14-15 when God speaks to Moses at the burning bush. In asking God for His identity the Lord describes Himself as the ever-present one, "I AM who I AM": He also describes His relationship to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the present tense. Jesus interprets this as meaning that God still had a living relationship with the three patriarchs, even though they were physically dead and buried. And so Jesus explained that Moses believed that the dead will be raised to life.
In showing from the Old Testament that the resurrection of the dead was a normal expectation for those who trusted in God, the Pharisees were delighted and commended His answer. For the Sadducees (who thought that 'once you are dead there is nothing more'), the potent reality of Christ's resurrection would be irresistible just a few days later. But that then opens a bigger question. "If the Old Testament dead are raised and Christ is raised from the dead, then what about everybody else?" The Bible is clear that no human life is ever extinguished or annihilated; everybody will rise at the Judgement and face their eternal destiny based on how they have responded to the grace of Christ (Daniel 12:2).
This teaching about the immortality of the soul is as important as the teaching that God is always present. Early writings from the Old Testament made that clear (Job 19:25-27). The New Testament writers taught that the believing soul is immortal (1 Corinthians 15:38-44); but so is the unbelieving soul (2 Thessalonians1:8-9). However, it is an uncomfortable teaching for those who have not received God's grace. Those who resist the love of Jesus may hope for the idea of annihilation or even reincarnation: but Jesus eliminates both ideas. But what He does say is a powerful spur to believers to share the gospel message so that the lost may be found (2 Corinthians 5:11). We know that nobody can escape the eye of the ever-present God or a final encounter with Him on the last day. That is why it is so important to place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord - sheltered in Him we are safe from the Judgement; but, without Him, there is no hope in eternity (www.crosscheck.org.uk).
Prayer: Eternal God, my loving Heavenly Father. Thank You that You never change, that You are always present, and that one day I will see You face to face. Thank You that all those who have died are still alive to You and that everybody will meet You so that You will judge fairly according to their response to the grace of Christ. Yet I am freshly aware of the awesome privilege of being Your child, and the terrible consequences for those who resist Your love. Help me to be a good ambassador for Heaven, able and willing to explain Your gospel so that others will know how much You love them and how to receive forgiveness. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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