SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. [Matthew 22:30]
I have always struggled with this verse.
My ‘theology is that when God restores the creation, He will restore the good things He created… including marriage.
The original creation was not good, until Eve was created for Adam.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [Genesis 2:18]
So why then will there be no marriage at the resurrection.
First of all, when something in the bible challenges our ‘theology, it is our ‘theology that needs to adapt.
Obviously something in my view of marriage after the resurrection is not correct.
This is where we need to be open minded, even creative, in our thinking.
Perhaps marriage will not be necessary, though friendship will continue.
We will live and serve God in the new creation like the angels.
We will not need to reproduce (one of the aspects of marriage in this life), because God’s family will be complete.
Or maybe what Jesus is speaking about is the covenant of marriage as we know it in this sinful world.
Maybe what God designed for Adam and Eve is something more, something better, than what we know and experience as marriage.
Maybe God will finally restore the original good thing that He created, of which marriage as we know it is a poor copy.
The Sadducees were trying to trick Jesus with their limited understanding of the scriptures – Jesus challenges them of not knowing the scriptures or the power of God.
It’s as if He is telling them (and me) that the truth is much deeper, much more wonderful, than our minds can fathom.
I think this is true in so many ways: God’s grace and love and truth are more profound than we appreciate.
Our theologies are like a child writing an owners manual for a nuclear power station.
I do not know how things will be after the resurrection, but I do know that it will be beyond amazing.
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him. [1 Corinthians 2:9]
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. [1 Corinthians 13:12]
Until then, I can have my ideas about God, life, marriage, etc., but must always remember my limitations.
But knowing how good marriage is now (for me), despite the brokenness of sin, then whatever God has in mind at the resurrection must be really, really good!
PRAYER:
Lord, keep me humhle. When my views do not match Yours, may I not attempt to ‘correct You with my limited thoughts, but open my mind to Your unlimited wisdom!
How did I clothe myself this day? Did I put on the armor of God? The fruit of the Spirit? The Word of God?
In all what I do and say this day, it must show that I am a Christ follower, ready to rise to the occasion, giving the answer, doing the doing which He in advance prepared for me. Living for Jesus. Prepared at all times to be His champion.
The religious leaders were more interested in their own positions and tried many a time to entrap Jesus with their questions – in the hopes of edifying themselves and have the crowds follow them. All this failed because the answers Christ gave astonished the crowds. After all, He is Lord!
That I must keep before me this day – serving my Lord and Saviour. And I must be dressed in Love – loving God and loving man. Knowing that as I meet this new day He has made, I will rejoice and be glad that He is. That gives me the power and strength to do my task today and every day that He gives me to serve Him in His kingdom today and forevermore.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.