Today’s Gospel:  Luke 20:27-40

REFLECTION
The religious life of Israel was largely divided into two classes: the Pharisees and the Sadducees, but in many instances these groups were far removed from each other. For the most part the Pharisees were the theological element in the nation and remained content with any kind of government which upheld the ceremonial laws. The Sadducees were fewer in number but infinitely greater in political power. They were wealthy; they supplied the High Priestly rulers; they collaborated with Rome. It has been often said that whereas the Pharisees accepted the law and the prophets, the Sadducees refused to accept anything except the first five books of the Old Testament. Yet, when their pride or their pockets were touched, they refused to acknowledge some of the Mosaic law. The Pharisees were militant, and expressed their doctrines openly. They believed in the resurrection and also in the existence of angels. The Sadducees were sinister, ruthless, scheming. They denied both the resurrection and the existence of angels (Acts 25:8).

Some of the Sadducees probably felt they were quite capable of embarrassing Jesus where others had failed; they awaited a suitable moment, and asked their question concerning the levirate marriage laws outlined by Moses. This title comes from the Latin “levir” which means “brother-in-law” or “husband’s brother.” We do not know if this was being practised in New Testament times, but the law itself may be found in Deuteronomy 25:5–10. “If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her... And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders... Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him. And if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house. And his name shall be called in Israel, the house of him that hath his shoe loosed.” This was considered a great disgrace, and sometimes the offender was viewed with disdain and scorn. The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, were aware of this old law, and had probably cited it in their speeches many times. This was a special argument; they were quite sure it would put Jesus on the spot.

It cannot be stated dogmatically that the situation Jesus described in Verses 29-33 of today’s Gospel never happened in Israel, but it is more probable the situation had been imagined to provide what appeared to be an insoluble problem. The Sadducees were capable of saying or doing anything to embarrass their enemies. They would probably smile and describe seven brothers fighting for possession of the one wife.

The key statement in Verses 34-36 is “Neither shall they die any more.” To perpetuate the race, marriage was instituted as an honorable institution. Birth was the replacement of death. Unless babies were born to take the place of people who succumbed either to age or sickness, man would eventually disappear from the earth. Therefore marriage was a necessary ordinance commanded by God to meet a continuing need. There will be no death in the eternal state and therefore marriages and births will be unnecessary. There, people live forever for they have become like the angels - that is they have become immortal. This cannot mean that they will be sexless. If we are to have bodies like unto His glorious body; then as He retained His earthly body, and knew the tremendous change which had turned the mortal into the immortal, so also will Christians. The Lord’s risen body was the same as that in which He was crucified, for it still retained the marks of the nails in His hands. Yet it had been changed; glorified; quickened; never to see death again. It follows that this procedure will be known in the resurrection. The ravages of time will be banished for ever, and mortal frames will be clothed with the radiant splendor of eternal youth. The disciples were able to recognize their Master; they had been able to recognize Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, therefore Christians will know each other in heaven. Nevertheless amid conditions previously unknown, marriage and everything that goes with it will be unnecessary. There will be sources of happiness and deep fountains of satisfaction which were completely unexperienced during our earthly career.

There may be those who consider the answer in Verses 37-38 to be inadequate. They should remember that it completely silenced the questioners and gained the approbation of the scribes who had overheard the conversation. Even though we may not appreciate the full importance of this answer, at least, the people present at that time knew exactly what Christ meant to teach. A God who only rules over dead subjects might just as well be dead himself. A king whose kingdom only includes a graveyard can hardly be classed as a king - he is rather a lonely old man. To be a king, the ruler must have subjects over whom to reign. To be God, Jehovah must have living people to whom He can be a Father. Therefore when Moses declared God to be the God of the patriarchs, he affirmed they were still living. In the final statement of today’s Gospel, the Lord probably wished to state that in the sight of His Father all souls lived - cessation of existence was unknown.

Today’s Reading:  Rev 11:4-12

PRAYER
Lord, may we prepare ourselves and make ourselves worthy of the love life we expect to have with you in eternity.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.