Our scripture this week is Matthew 22:23-33.
“That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. 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. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘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.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.”
Jesus continues His lesson to this group of religious leaders, explaining that heaven will not be like earth. He tells them “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (v. 30). We try to understand what it will be like, but Jesus says it will be infinitely more than we can imagine.
Did you ever think about a future event and play out in your mind how it would be? When it happened, was it like you thought and if not, were you disappointed? Jesus teaches us that eternal life is beyond our frame of reference, that we can’t possibly see what it holds for us because of our human limitations.
The Apostle Paul writes “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). This is why we can’t figure out what it will be like – we will be changed, different from our temporary human forms. Jesus wants us to learn about God’s eternal love, but not to get wrapped up in “what it will be like”. It will be wonderful!
Wise and wonderful Lord, we often get distracted by asking foolish questions and trying to see beyond our limits. Help us to focus on what is important now that we may be worthy to receive Your eternal blessing. Amen.