23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25 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. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”
29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘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.”
33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
In our verses for today Jesus gives a strong denunciation to the religious liberals of His day – the Sadducees – for neither knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. They certainly should have been readily familiar with both. It appears ignorance to God’s Word and His achieving power is a common malady among men in many generations including our own - shame on them, shame on us. Scripture tells us of Scripture:
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12 (NIV)
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalms 119:89 (NIV)
165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 (NIV)
“Our claim is that God has revealed Himself by speaking; that this divine (or God-breathed) speech has been written down and preserved in Scripture; and that Scripture is, in fact, God’s Word written, which therefore is true and reliable and has divine authority over men.” John Stott
“Scripture is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose; it will defend itself.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.” C.H. Spurgeon
Scripture also tells us to do our best to understand its Truth:
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalms 119:105 (NIV)
“Every sermon, every Bible lesson, every word of testimony, and every verse of Scripture is a warning, calling us to repentance and revival. Our God is a consuming fire, and a day of judgment is coming. We must not neglect the warning, and today’s church must not forget that our message includes the ministry of warning.” Robert J. Morgan
The Sadducees believed there was no resurrection or angels or spirits therefore their question to the Mater purposely centered on the doctrine of resurrection and its implications. They sought to make the resurrection appear ridiculous. God’s Word teaches resurrection and that His power can certainly bring people back to life. The Sadducees supposed Heaven to be an extension of the pleasures enjoyed here on earth as in marriage. Yet Jesus tells us in our glorified eternal bodies there will be no need for marriage as there will be no need for procreation – one of marriages basic purposes. He states we will be as angels (not become angels) in that regard as angels do not reproduce themselves. In His great economy of Words, our Lord did not answer all the questions regarding the eternal state of those married in this life – now we see but a poor reflection yet one day we will see clearly – yet He did answer the immediate question raised by the Sadducees.
The most important issue, however, brought up by these religious liberals regarded the resurrection. If they had read and understood the Old Testament Scriptures – “have you not read what God said to you” - they would have clearly seen there is a future life when a person dies – they believing death ended man’s existence. Jesus quotes to them a statement God made to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus stating He is the “I AM” God not the “I was” God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who are still as much alive with God today as they were when their feet walked this earth and will ultimately share in the resurrection of the righteous. Our God is not the God of the dead but of the living – praise Him!