ESOCS Devotional 10 December 2024 – Resurrection of the Righteous
MEMORY VERSE: “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”Luke 20:35-36 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 20:27-40
27 Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 28 saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. 31 Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.”
34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”
39 Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 But after that they dared not question Him anymore.
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Our study of the Gospel of Luke brings us to verses 27-40 of chapter 20. Here we discuss the issue of the afterlife: namely, resurrection. There are two main resurrections spoken of in the Bible: (1) the Resurrection of the Righteous and (2) the Resurrection of the Unrighteous (John 5:28-29). In speaking to the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection; we shall learn some important aspects of the Resurrection of the Righteous:
First, Jesus said that those who are resurrected “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (v 35). Marriage was created for this earthly life and is limited to it. Why is this? The main reason is that God designed marriage as the best environment by which children are to be raised. A father and a mother are important in helping young men and young women grow into maturity. In the resurrection, child-rearing is not necessary and therefore marriage is not necessary. Another reason is that the close relationship marriage provides is unnecessary in the next life because there we will enjoy the blessings of being in the presence of God.
Secondly, our earthly bodies are cast away and we are given new glorified bodies. Our current bodies are mortal and perishable and suffer from the effects of sin. Physically, we suffer from sickness, broken bones, diseases and death. Mentally, we suffer from depression, mourning and grief. Our new bodies are immortal and imperishable and will not suffer from the effects of sin. Physically, there will be no more sickness and mentally, there will be no more tears or grief. Jesus said those who attain to this resurrection “cannot die anymore” (36). The reason given is that “they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (v 36). This does not mean that they become angels, but are equal to (or like) angels in that they have immortal bodies, do not marry, and enjoy meaningful relationships. Being freed from the bondage of sin, we are freed from death. Our bodies are incapable of dying; therefore, as Jesus said, we cannot die.
You can only “be considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection” (v 35) if you have the righteousness of Christ. You must be born again. Resurrection comes from salvation. The Bible is clear that we cannot earn salvation. Our works are nothing more than a “polluted garment” (Isaiah 64:6) in God’s sight and “no one is righteous” (Rom 3:10). We cannot merit resurrection through our good works because it is attainable only through Christ. Salvation and resurrection is granted by God’s grace through faith in Him. How then are we saved? You admit to God that you were a sinner and repent. You believe that Jesus is God’s own Son, and you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. You cannot have peace in this life until you have made peace in the afterlife.
- What will happen to you when you die?
- Lord, I believe in Your resurrection. Help me to live in accordance with your words.
Further Reading: Isaiah 11:1–9; 3:1–4:1; I Thessalonians 1:1–end
ESOCS Devotional 10 December 2024
