The Amazing Resurrection of the DeadSample

The God of the Living

At the time of Christ, there were several unofficial Jewish fraternities, two of which were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They were more or less like today’s evangelicals and liberals. One key difference was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection.

One day, a group of them confronted Jesus about this. From the response to the absurd proposition they put to him (see Matthew 22:23-33; Luke 20:27-40), we can draw the following conclusions:

First, if we don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead, we don’t believe in the Scriptures or the power of God. The Scriptures contain the promise of life after death and the Spirit of God is the one who makes it possible (compare Romans 8:11). When we believe the promise, we will experience the power.

Second, after the resurrection, because there will be no more death, there will no longer be any need for procreation. Marriage as we understand it now, will be forgotten (Luke 20:35-36). Who knows what new delights of love might become ours?

Third, Jesus implies that if we are created to live for the glory of God, this earthly life is inadequate: only an eternal life can achieve that. So having been raised, we cannot die anymore (Luke 20:36).

Fourth, God is a God of the living, not the dead (Luke 20:37-38). This was made clear to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6). Jesus stresses this point by the threefold repetition of the word ‘God’.

Five, everyone who is raised by God lives by him (Luke 20:38).

There are many unknowns about the resurrection. Paul warns us that it is a mystery (1 Corinthians 15:51). Even in this Bible plan so far, several points have been made that could be arguable. But this is no reason to discount the resurrection itself. The words of Jesus show us that believing in it is not an option: for his disciples it is mandatory.

So the Bible also reminds us that the foundation of everything, including the resurrection, is the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). It is through him and only through him that we will experience the glories of that Day. To be in Christ now is to be in Christ then.

On Him, we erect the structures of our lives: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. There will be rewards for how we build (1 Corinthians 3:14). Sadly, many of us build poorly and the outcomes are often shaky and fragile. What if the flaming, raging infernos of that Day were to leave nothing but ashes? We may still be saved, but when it comes to rewards or benefits, there would be little to show (1 Corinthians 3:15). This would be such a tragic, desolating outcome. Now is the time to get busy!

What a heart-bursting experience it will be on that Day to hear the Saviour himself say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.

What next?

Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. Consider your many accomplishments. How many will stand the ultimate test of that Day? What can you do about it?

Choose one verse from this passage and: read (aloud), record, repeat, and remember it.