8.04.25 Luke 20:27-40

Prepare

Lord Jesus, as we read your journey to the cross, may your Holy Spirit lead us into all truth and keep us curious.

Help us examine your example and in doing so, be moved to worship.

Amen.

Read

“Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “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 raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. But in the account of the burning 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.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭27‬-‭40‬

Reflect

Heaven is a popular word. It’s in our songs, it’s depicted in films. It’s used in advertising. Some of the most popular christian literature is about heaven. It should therefore be no surprise to us that Jesus is asked about heaven by the people of his day.

Whilst the bible might not answer every question about heaven, Jesus is not put off by their curiosity and provides enough reason for any christian to be reassured.

Be

Jesus promises resurrection to all those who believe in him. This passage also tells that we are raised eternally as children of the resurrection.

Perhaps what is so wonderful about this promise is that our eternal life and our identity as children of God starts the moment we become a Christian.

Take some time now to praise him for that glorious truth.

Become

For every follower of Jesus, the truth of our future should inform our today.

Imagine holding rope that goes out in front of you as far as you can see. Imagine the first inch or two of rope covered by your hand represents your life on earth. Imagine the rest of the rope, stretching for miles represents the life of the age to come.

I remember seeing this illustration given in a sermon and realising just how important it is for my focus to be on eternity.

Spend some time praying for God to provide us with an eternal perspective on our problems of today.

Do

Questions are such a powerful tool for our faith. Some of the teachers of the law that asked Jesus this question received his answer praise by saying “well said teacher”. By this, we can also infer that some others were not convinced.

Knowing how significant questions can be in our faith, find a moment today to pray a question that has been burning in recently in your heart? Possibly about heaven or maybe something else.

You might like to pray for a non-christian friend or family member that has questions of their own about faith. Ask God to use you and engage with their curiosity.

Practice

Considering heaven can be a huge encouragement especially when we are discouraged by the state of the world. Megan Fate, a teaching pastor from America, recently shared her habit of a listing all the things that won't be in heaven.

Things like pain, crying, mourning, cancer, sickness. Also other things like fear, hunger, panic, loneliness and rejection.

Spend some time today considering your own list and the things you look forward to not be in heaven.

Allow yourself to become excited by this. Perhaps the most exciting thing about heaven won’t be what is missing but who is there, namely Jesus, whose presence we will enjoy forever and ever. Amen.