Advent Devotionals: Day 8

Religious groups of Jesus' day openly questioned him often. The Sadducees were one of these groups. They accepted only the first five Books of Moses and did not believe in angels, spirits, or the resurrection of the dead. In Luke 20:27-40, they proposed a hypothetical question that in their mind would disprove the reality of the resurrection of the dead. As Jesus answers their question, He shows them their faulty thinking in that the resurrection is not reconstitution. Resurrection is the miraculous provision of the power of God providing a new body that has continuity with the old body but is not identical. When Jesus rose from the dead His resurrected body was the same as before His death and yet different. His friends recognized Him and even touched Him. They could see the scars left by the nails and the spear. He ate food with them and yet He was able to appear suddenly. He could vanish suddenly, and he could walk through closed doors.

Jesus pointed out to the Sadducees that they had wrong assumptions that limited God’s power and denied God's Word. The future life with God is more than continuation of the present life on a higher scale. It is a glorious future in the presence of God. We will maintain our identities, know each other, and have glorified bodies. We will no longer be subject to death. Jesus taught that God is the God of the whole person...spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Our salvation does not just simply save our souls and ignore the rest of our being. He is concerned for our total being and will give us glorious bodies to match our heavenly future. Our salvation is full and complete in Christ alone.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your willingness to come to this earth. We celebrate Your birth knowing that You came to provide a complete salvation for all who believe. This salvation provides the assurance of a future resurrection and we will live throughout eternity with You. Thank You for providing such a glorious future. Amen.