…some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and…asked…saying, …if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children…(his brother) must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers…
Luke 20:27-40
In this scene, Jesus is confronted by a sect called Sadducees regarding the afterlife and a married man dying not having produced children. We see this practice in Genesis 38 when Er, son of Judah, died without children from Tamar, Er’s wife, and Judah told Onan, Er’s brother, to take Tamar to produce offspring for Er. The practice is found again in Deuteronomy 25 regarding “the Laws of Levirate Marriage.” The Sadducees were like the other religious leaders in their hatred of Jesus. So, this is yet another trap to try to get Jesus teach something against the religious laws of the Jews. It is interesting that the Sadducees use a scenario of Heaven for they did not believe in Heaven or an afterlife. In His response, Jesus tells these Sadducees that “The sons of this age are given in marriage, but those…worthy to attain…the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.” In one statement, Jesus debunks the Sadducees beliefs and all the religious leaders’ beliefs about life in the presence of God. Even today, some believe Heaven is only a place where bliss reigns while sitting on a cloud playing a harp. Scripture clearly tells that God’s Chosen will be with Him in Heaven after this present age ends. Some have arrived there already but, Paul writes that we exist there in spirit until this age ends when we will be given a body fit for eternity to worship our Savior and Lord and do all things He commands, enjoying our Triune God throughout eternity. While in this earthly life, we are to worship God only, love our neighbor as we love ourselves, believe into Jesus and, obey His commands given in the New Testament. When we are called into His presence, at death or at His return, we will be free of the effects of sin in this age and able to enjoy our new Home and all the benefits that God has for us! Christians, consider your eternal existence and be encouraged, in this life, by the presence of God the Holy Spirit! May you be blessed by these thoughts. Source: S C Ball April 23, 2023
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