Faith that Brings you Life

Rev Gideon Lee

Luke 20:27-40

The Resurrection and Marriage

20:27- 40pp – Mt 22:23- 33; Mk 12:18- 27

27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 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, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 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. ’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

No matter how tough a question they gave to Jesus, he always had an answer. These were loaded questions that were given to Jesus. No matter what questions you may have, Jesus has the answer. 

This morning I am not talking about marriage. I am talking about a faith that brings life or a faith that is alive. 

How many of you are married? You who are married knows that it is not always smooth. Right? Things don't always work out the way you want, right? Sometimes wives may ask you "Do I look fat in this dress?" That's a loaded question. Whatever you answer also wrong. If you say you look fat, you're going to be served burnt offerings. If you say no you may not be true to yourself. 

The Sadducees wanted to trap Jesus. They were a people who did not believe in the resurrection. They did not believe in heaven or hell. They only believe in the first five books of the bible. So they only believe the first five books of the Old Testament. The rest is not important to their faith. There is no life after death for them. 

This question they asked is a trick question trying to trap Jesus. Just like a little earlier they ask about taxes. Jesus answered them to render unto Caesar what is Caesars and not only that but unto God that which is God's. 

Jesus answered them with three very important things. First was the theological answer regarding the resurrection. He quotes from a bible story, Moses which was found in the book of Exodus. This was in the first five book of the bible so Jesus quoted from there. At the burning bush, God told Moses I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Not in the past tense. That's why he says I Am that I Am. There is life after death. The present tense. 

The second thing was that he answered a question that some of us have asked. Is there marriage in heaven? No? Look at our marriage vows. Till death do us part. In the context of our marriage there is no divorce but in death we part. It is more on the physical level here on earth. 

We will still recognize our husband or wife but the relationship is no more. There is no longer a need for marriage in heaven. 

The third and the last thing was this. The most pressing question is whether there is life beyond the grave. Even unbelievers ask this. I hope you are not like the Sadducees. There is life after death. Jesus on the third day rose from the grave. We are people with hope. Absent here, present with the Lord. There is life after death. I am the God of the living not the God of the dead. That is why we are here. That is our hope. 

Just look at where you are sitting here and look at your phone. 20 years ago what was your phone like? Remember your first phone? They were like a brick. If you throw at someone the person will probably die. Look at the phone in your hands. In colour and can do so many things. You can even take a picture. But if I told you that 20 years ago you may think I have been in the sun too long. 

But the resurrection is so far reaching we all have not seen but Jesus has done it. One day the resurrection will happen. 

How many of you know Winston Churchill? He can stir the people to courage with his speech. He planned his funeral and this was how it went. At the end when the casket was being wheeled to the cemetery out of the church, Winston Churchill arrange a bugler hidden to play taps. It is very solemn. It's what the army will play when things come to an end. But as his casket reach the door they are to play revere. The beginning of the morning. They play what the army would play to get the soldiers out of their barracks. 

He wanted them to play the upbeat time because on leaving the church in the casket it was going to be a brand new day. 

One day when I am at my funeral, of course I will be at my funeral (laughs). If you ask me I want to die peacefully. I would like to preach my last sermon go back to my seat and die there. My congregation say "pastor you'll scare us to death. What will we do with you after that?"

I would like to be like Paul. That I have finished the race, fought the good fight and kept the faith.