Sexagesima Week – Monday

Image result for jesus and the sadducees.

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.— Matthew 22:32.

On Tuesday, in the temple, our Lord was tried and tempted a great deal by His enemies, the hardened Pharisees and Sadducees.  The latter, who said that there is no resurrection, came and asked Him, saying: “Master, Moses said, ‘If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.’  Now there were with us seven brethren; and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother; likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.  And. last of all, the woman died also.  Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seven, for they all had her?” (Matthew 22:24-28).

Jesus answered and said unto them: “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.  For, in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.  But, as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living’” (vv. 29-32).  If, through faith in your Savior, you are a child of God, so that God is your God and Father, then God will not leave you in death, but raise you from the dead, for He is not the God and Father of the dead, but of the living.  This is what Jesus Christ has taught, and His Word, also in many ways and places, teaches the resurrection of the dead.  In the resurrection, however, there will be no marrying, nor giving in marriage; we shall be no longer subject to the laws and regulations of this earthly life, for we shall have heavenly, glorified bodies. These, the power of God, which is boundless, will give us. So, let not the spiteful drivel of those who know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God confuse you.

PRAYER.  Grant, O faithful God, that I may be and remain Thy dear child through faith in my Lord and Savior, depart this life in blessed peace, holding fast to Thy grace, rest in my grave under Thy protection, rise by Thy power, and thus inherit the blessed hope of eternal life  for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be praise, honor, and glory, now and evermore. Amen.

 

In the resurrection, in the resurrection we do trust.

From the dust shall this body, this hope we cherish,

rise before God, clothed in pure perfection.

Jesus, Lord, help afford; oh, save us lest we perish!

(Hymn 603, st. 1; TLH) 

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