Luke 20:27-47 - The Surety of the Resurrection
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
We live a world with heartache and pain. Things don’t always seem to go well on this side of eternity. People die, sicknesses come, barrenness happens, oppression occurs. And we see that some form of tragedy strikes just about everyone at some point in their life.
Where do we find hope in the midst of a world with suffering so pervasive?
We find it in Christ, and we find it in the resurrection that He proved, provided, and prepared for us.
Today, Jesus is going to use the opportunity provided from yet another attack on Him to take some time to prove the surety of the resurrection.
The resurrection of believers unto eternal life is a foundational teaching of Biblical Christianity. Jesus taught on the resurrection many times throughout the Gospels and makes it clear that there is an eternity awaiting all. Some will be raised to eternal life with Jesus in heaven while others will be sent to eternal punishment in hell.
For those in Christ, we can find rest and hope knowing that one day we will be raised with Christ and have no more pain or suffering.
Let’s go to the Lord in prayer and get started into this next hostile encounter that Jesus had with the religious leaders.
Prayer
Today we will see three ways that Jesus proves the resurrection. The first is…
I. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection is Sure (27-36)
I. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection is Sure (27-36)
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,
In this encounter we are introduced to the Sadducees. They have watched the Pharisees and the Herodians flounder in their attempts to trap Jesus. This group thinks that they finally have a situation that will be an impossible task for Jesus to handle.
Before diving into the confrontation, who exactly are the Sadducees? Most of us have heard the old saying that they are sad-you-see because they don’t believe in the resurrection. Luke gives us this much in verse 27.
However, we need to understand that the Sadducees were the intellectual and powerful elites of their day. They were theologically liberal, secular, and materialistic. They borderlined on being humanists. Sadducees made up much of the Sanhedrin as well as the priesthood. In fact, the Chief Priest was almost always a Sadducee.
The Sadducees did not only deny the resurrection, however. They denied the existence of demons and angels as well as anything else supernatural. Despite them having a belief in God, they were functionally atheistic in their actions.
The Sadducees show us the danger of atheistic humanism. Because they did not believe in a life to come, they spent all of their energy living the best life they could on earth. They would compromise on morality for political power. They would take advantage of the poor. They would step on anyone to get to where they wanted to go.
Their description sounds a bit like many we see today in political and academic elite groups!
Now that we understand who is about to attack Jesus, let’s dive into the scenario that they have contrived to attempt to trip up Jesus.
and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.
To set up their question, they reference a situation that is called Levirate marriage. This seems very strange to us today in our culture. However, for Israel, there was a duty of a brother to continue the lineage of his brother's family (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). God cared much about continuing the line of Israel, and so this law was instituted. We must remember that the line of Israel had to be continued in order for the Messiah to come.
We see this concept played out even before the Law of Moses in Genesis 38. If you recall, Judah took a wife for his son Er – his firstborn. However, Er was evil and was struck down by the Lord as we see in Genesis 38:7. Judah then told Er’s brother, Onan, to continue the linage of Er, but he refused and was put to death as well (Genesis 38:9).
As we pause here, we have to ask ourselves, where exactly are the Sadducees going with this one?
Lets read through verses 29-33 and see their outlandish example in an attempt to prove their point…
Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
Understanding this concept, we are given the most outlandish example of Levirate marriage imaginable.
They describe a man who dies without children from his wife. The widow then marries one of his brothers who is to keep the line going. That brother dies and the woman remains childless. This happens to all seven brothers who die and then the woman dies childless.
Now comes their big question that is meant to show the impossibility of the resurrection and why they assume they are right in denying it. They feel confident that they are about to trip Jesus up. I’m sure some vindication toward the Pharisees who believed in the resurrection would have been something they were hoping for as well. Hadn’t they successfully showed the absurdity of the resurrection in their example?
On the surface, their question seems well thought out. This certainly is an odd situation.
They ask Jesus whose wife the woman will be in the resurrection? Didn’t all seven had her as a wife while on earth?
The situation is at a crossroads. How will Jesus respond? You wonder if the Disciples are sweating a bit at this point. However, I am reminded of Proverbs 18:17:
The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Their argument seems to be solid, that is until Christ speaks…
Before going into verses 34-36, I find it necessary to quote what Matthew records for us that happens right before Jesus’s explanation. His statement is quite a mic drop statement…
But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
I love how Jesus just calls them out. He pretty much tells them they are ignorant and foolish. They might claim to be theologians, but they don’t understand the Scriptures at all!
I think we should all take a moment and re-read the first three words of Jesus’s statement in quotes here…
You are wrong…
It is clear that Jesus is no postmodern! He understands that there is truth and there is falsehood. I pray that none of us fall for the lie of postmodernism with its teachings on relative truth. My friends, truth is truth and lies are lies. Do not fall for the philosophy and empty deceit of this world as Paul warns us in Colossians 2:8.
After calling the Sadducees out on their erroneous thinking, He explains the truth of the resurrection in detail:
And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Jesus lets them know that this age is different than the age to come. In other words, people marry on earth, but for those in heaven, marriage will not be necessary.
During the resurrection, they cannot ever die again. They are eternal like the angels and are called forever adopted children of God. Just as the angels do not marry, those who are raised from the dead in the resurrection will not marry.
Marriage is a beautiful blessing on earth. It is a picture of Christ’s love for His church as we see in Ephesians 5:22-33. However, in the resurrection, this picture will no longer be needed because we will be with Christ forever! We will not need any example of this because we will be living it!
For those of you like myself, who have a wonderful marriage, you might be a little bummed by this statement from Jesus. However, that is not what we should take from this. Our love will be perfected and not lessened. Even in the best marriages sin exists. No matter how sacrificial and loving we try to be on earth, selfishness and pride will mar all of our earthly relationships. In heaven, we will be able to love everyone else perfectly. All of our relationships will be pure and holy and perfect. Peace and harmony will be throughout the eternal kingdom of God.
There are at least two false teachings that Jesus confronts in His teaching in verses 34-36.
#1 - The Lie of Universalism
#2 - The Lie of Mormonism
First, we see Jesus attack universalism in His statement when He mentions ‘those who are considered worthy to attain to that age’ - namely those who are heaven-bound or those who are saved. This teaching directly attacks the concept of universalism. If there are those who are considered worthy of heaven then there are certainly those who are not considered worthy of heaven and are instead doomed for destruction as Christ teaches throughout the Gospels. We understand that one’s worthiness of heaven is completely based on the finished work of Christ on the cross, however. We are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). But because of Christ’s work, we are considered worthy. He is the only way to God as seen in John 14:6.
Second, we see Jesus attack the future lie of Mormonism by His assertion that marriage will cease to exist in eternity. Mormonism teaches that marriage on earth is actually celestial marriage and that it is necessary in order to attain one’s godhood - or becoming a god yourself - also referred to as exaltation - which is a false teaching in and of itself as well! By marrying on earth, Mormons teach that the entire family unit will continue into eternity sealed together. This teaching of marriage existing in eternity directly contradicts the teachings of Jesus here. Jesus clearly teaches against such false doctrine.
So far, Jesus has given us a clear picture of the surety of the resurrection by clearly teaching against misunderstandings and perverse teachings. And now Jesus is going to prove to the Sadducees that the resurrection is also… Scriptural…
Scripture References: Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Genesis 38:6-11, Proverbs 18:17, Matthew 22:29, Colossians 2:8, Ephesians 5:22-33, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 14:6
II. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection is Scriptural (37-44)
II. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection is Scriptural (37-44)
But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”
Jesus isn’t done just answering their question. He is about to go all in on teaching this resurrection concept!
I love how Jesus goes straight to Exodus - part of the Pentateuch that the Sadducees took as inerrant. Part of the Sadducees’ belief against anything supernatural as well as the resurrection was that they only saw the first five books of the Bible - called the Pentateuch - as the true Scripture.
You may wonder why Jesus references Exodus by referring to the passage about the bush - but remember that they didn’t have their Scriptures divided by chapter and verse at this point. So Jesus refers to this section by its content.
He brings up Moses in Exodus 3:15 who is told by God the following:
God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
Then Jesus drops the hammer yet again. He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him. God is the God of the patriarchs as stated here. God doesn’t say that He was the God of those men. He has maintained a relationship with these souls even after they departed this world.
Because of the eternality of God, those He creates are also eternal.
Jesus has proven the resurrection was taught throughout the Old Testament and even in the Pentateuch. He has shown that the Sadducees are mistaken in their interpretation of Scripture.
Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him any question.
The scribes, although they had been shot down by Jesus many times already, enjoyed seeing the defeat of their opponents, the Sadducees. They gave Him a head nod for once.
The Sadducees were silenced for good at this point. The Scribes and Elders and Herodians also will not go on to ask Him any more questions.
Apart from one more question from the Pharisees, and that being more of a legitimate question in Matthew 22:34-40 about the great commandment of the Law, no one else has the guts to ask any further questions.
He has defeated the Scribes, Elders, Pharisees, Herodians, and the Sadducees. Jesus remains undefeated in His head-to-head battles. And now He turns the tables and asks His own questions to the Pharisees who were gathered together after asking Him about the great commandment (Matthew 22:41).
But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Jesus is not done teaching about the resurrection. He addressed the Pentateuch with the Sadducees, but now He moves forward in talking with the Pharisees by bringing up Psalm 110:1.
His question to the Pharisees is how can they say that the Christ is David's son if David calls the Messiah Lord? This is highly interesting.
The literal translation is here is that Yahweh said to Adonai - which shows the deity of the Messiah. We see God speaking to God. We see two Persons of the Godhead - namely the Trinity - speaking to one another. The Father is addressing the Son.
Yet, the Messiah is called the Son of David as well. How is this so?
Jesus is speaking on the preeminence of the Messiah as well as the humanity of the Messiah. The Messiah is both truly God and truly man. He is the Son of David in His flesh, but He is also the eternal God in His deity.
We also see Jesus teach on His eternal victory to come as all of His enemies will be destroyed. The remainder of Psalm 110 tells of the second coming of Christ where He will rule and reign and shatter kings on the day of His wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations (Psalm 110:5-6).
In expounding upon Psalm 110 here, Jesus has shown that He is greater than David. David calls Him Lord. And as God-made-flesh, Jesus would go on to become the sacrificial passover Lamb to take away the sin of the world.
There is coming a day as we mentioned, where Jesus will rule and reign and judge all evil. But for now, He has offered us peace through His death on the cross. If you haven’t repented of your sins and believed in the Son of God - Jesus Christ - who gave His life willingly on the cross for the sins of the world. Please do that today.
Jesus has proven the resurrection is sure. And He has proven that the resurrection is Scriptural. But we must also understand that…
Scripture References: Exodus 3:15, Matthew 22:34-45, Psalm 110:1, Psalm 110:5-6
III. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection Is Sacred (45-47)
III. Jesus Proves that the Resurrection Is Sacred (45-47)
And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
I find it interesting that Jesus will not take the scribes head nod without teaching on their sin. So He speaks to His disciples in the presence of the crowd all around about the evil ways of the Scribes and Pharisees.
If you want the extended version of Jesus’s condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees, read through Matthew 23:1-36 which is filled with seven woes. He holds nothing back in His condemnation of these religious leaders.
However, Luke gives us four of the reasons Jesus said to beware of these religious leaders.
The disciples and people of Israel were to beware of the Scribes and Pharisees because:
- They care about their outward appearance to others despite being unrighteous
- They love to be exalted by man
- They love money and take advantage of widows
- They pray extensively without power
They Care about their outward appearance to others despite being unrighteous.
They would dress distinctly and extravagantly. They would wear long robes that would touch the ground which signified their lack of doing any manual labor. They were above that kind of menial work. They would embellish and enlarge the borders of their garments and tassels to attract attention and respect from others.
We can learn a lot from these men. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 as well as 1 Peter 3:3-5 warns women against drawing attention to themselves with extravagant adornment. Our goal is not to draw attention to ourselves - but instead to draw attention and glory to God. Our mind should be on God and not ourselves.
They love to be exalted by man
Next Jesus attacks their love for exaltation. They wanted the seats of honor in the synagogue and at feasts. They wanted people to refer to them with titles that recognized them above other men. Yet, in His woes against the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus condemned such exaltation of men in Matthew 23:12 by stating that those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
We talked last week about the danger of flattery and praise. Do you seek praise from others? Are you consumed with thoughts about what people think about you? I pray that your sole focus is on exalting Christ and not self.
They love money and take advantage of widows
The scribes were cheating widows out of their houses and estates. As executors of a widow’s property, they unethically took advantage of their position for personal gain. How shameful were these men who would take advantage of the most vulnerable in society? God’s condemnation will be upon those who do such things as seen in Deuteronomy 27:19.
They pray extensively without power
Long prayers are not inherently bad - but wordy prayers without power and substance are. These religious leaders would pride themselves in the length of their prayers. Their focus wasn’t on God or even what they were praying. It was on their own piousness. They wanted to appear devout and holy to others. Their focus was on self and not God.
...They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Friends, the resurrection is sacred. Those who are not in Christ will suffer ruin and condemnation. They will suffer eternal punishment in hell.
Jesus sees the heart and not what others see.
Although these Scribes and Pharisees look very clean on the outside, although they have memorized the Scriptures, although they are respected by men - they will suffer eternal judgment because of their unwillingness to humble themselves before God and repent of their sins.
Today, I want you to take some time during our time of prayer and reflection to ask the Lord to search your heart and convict you of any areas where you might be too focused on the outward.
Maybe you identify with these religious leaders. Maybe you really haven’t ever focused on the inward. Maybe you need to be saved today. Don’t leave here without making things right with Christ. Repent of your sins and believe in Him.
Or maybe you know that you are saved, but you really struggle with people-pleasing and caring what other people think too much. Maybe it is physical appearance, maybe it is intellectual attainment, maybe it is athleticism, maybe it is your job performance, or maybe it is something entirely different. But when you really think about it, you realize that you are focused too much on what people think about you and not enough about what people think about God.
Take some time to repent today about that today.
Scripture References: Matthew 23:1-36, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-5, Matthew 23:12, Deuteronomy 27:19
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, I pray that we have been reminded about the surety of the resurrection. It is sure, it is Scriptural, and it is sacred.
I pray that we all live in a way worthy of eternal life.
This is only possible through relying fully on the saving power and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.
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