The Afterlife

Introduction

The great questions of life usually revolve around meaning and purpose. Who am I? Who am I in connection to this world? What is my purpose? Will my life make a difference to someone? And then the great question is a one word question—Why? This question begins with the three-year-old who asks why about everything and continues as life progresses. The “why” question demonstrates that there is an innate curiosity about life and a basic understanding that there is something greater than the “me” who asks the question. The “why” question reveals that we don’t know everything but we believe that there is knowledge available. What is even more revealing is that even those that we consider great thinkers have asked the “why” question.

But there are other questions which matter. Some want to know what happens after death. And what will heaven be like? Will we know each other? Will we recognize that loved ones may not be with us because of choices made to turn away from the God of life? Will we miss them? What will we do for eternity? So many questions and not enough answers. Antony Flew, a renowned atheist was asked about the afterlife and what he thought happened after death. While not believing in an afterlife, his response reveals the truth for us all—we have to die in order to find out. Interestingly enough toward the end of his life, Flew acknowledged that God existed. He published a book, “There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind.”

There were those who came to Jesus during his last week of life before the Crucifixion wanting to ridicule the idea of an afterlife. In our text this morning, Jesus assures his followers that an afterlife exists and gives proof that such exists. He doesn’t answer all of our questions but he does answer the one question that matters most—life after death exists and God is there.

Assumptions

Since his entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover, Jesus has faced opposition on a number of fronts. In 20:1, his authority is questioned. In 20:20 his political stand is questioned. And in this text, the Sadducees oppose him. The Sadducees were the primary ruling party at this time. They tended to be wealthy; they tried to preserve the status quo; they followed only the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy); they didn’t believe in the resurrection nor in angels.

They attempt to discredit Jesus by using an argument toward the absurd. In other words, they begin with their basic belief that the resurrection doesn’t exist and then using scripture they attempt to show the absurdity of an argument taken to an extreme. This is a common form of arguing one’s point. The tricky part is starting with truth.

Their illustration is quite foreign to us. God endorsed with his people the idea of inheritance. It was through the firstborn son that a family’s name would be passed down as well as wealth. God put into effect a practice to ensure that the family name would go through the firstborn in the event that something happened to the firstborn before having children. This practice is called Levirate Marriage and is found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 and Ruth 4:1-12. It is this practice which the Sadducees are going to use to demonstrate that the resurrection doesn’t exist.

A woman marries the oldest son. He dies and there is no child. Following God’s will, the second son marries her with the same results—death and no children. This cycle reoccurs through all seven brothers. Finally, all the brothers and the woman are now dead. At the resurrection, whose wife will she be? Can’t you see the smirks of “gotcha” on the face of the Sadducees? The question makes certain assumptions: the afterlife is like this life, there will be marriage in the afterlife, and that no adequate answer exists.

Jesus’ response makes several points. First, the afterlife is not like this life. Marriage exists in this age not in the next. Second, not everyone will receive life after the resurrection. This blessing is only for those who follow God. Third, there will be no need for marriage because immortality is the result of the resurrection. One of the purposes of marriage was to carry on the family name through children. Such will not be needed since there is no death. The resurrected are like the angels in this regard. Fourth, Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3) proves that the resurrection is real. God calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Since they had already died, God speaks of them in the present tense. They are either living or they will live again otherwise God cannot say he IS their God.

Lessons

Two lessons emerge here. First, with every opposition Jesus has shown that he is the only true guide. The religious leaders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, even spies have all been silenced by the wisdom and truth of Jesus. Every attempt to trip him up has failed. Every accusation has fallen by the wayside. Jesus has proven that he is the only valid leader for the people. Even the reactions of these opposition groups demonstrate that they do not know what to do with Jesus. Silence, astonishment, amazement, even hatred and the threat of death all signal that Jesus is the one to follow. There is no legitimacy to the leadership of others. Jesus is the one to follow. Jesus is the one with the wisdom to lead. Jesus is the perfect one and all attempts to trap him, make him look bad, or create a divide between the people and Jesus fail.

Second, while Jesus doesn’t answer all of our questions about life after death he assures us that a resurrection is coming. Not all will be able to enjoy the blessing of eternal life. But notice what Jesus says at the end of verse 38—“for to him all are alive.” The intent of this phrase is that life exists in relationship to the living God. All life now and to come takes place by his power. Life comes from God. Life after death is God’s gift to those who follow him, trust him, believe him, and give themselves to him. Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 that eternal life is God’s gift to those who are in Christ.

This is the promise of God. Life after death exists. By the power and grace of God there is life for those who live this life with Jesus. The promise of God is that there is no death when we are with God. The promise of God is that we are his children. The promise of God is the resurrection is for those who belong to him. This brings great joy to us. For us who belong to God, we will see our loved ones again because this is what God promises to give to those who belong to him. Do you belong to him?

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