The religious sect of the Sadducees held to some beliefs that are surprising, considering they were a part of Judaism. While strongly committed to the five books of the OT written by Moses, they rejected belief in the soul and its immortality – “souls die with the bodies” – and this naturally led to them rejecting belief in the physical resurrection of the body by God.

These beliefs lie behind the question they put to Jesus about the widow who married seven times. “If the resurrection is true, then who will she be married to in the resurrected life?”

In answering the question, Jesus points out their mistake by quoting from Moses himself. The man they most admired described the Lord as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” even though they had died centuries before Moses received this revelation of God. He is their God because “He is the God of the living.” It was a powerful witness to both the immortality of the soul, and the future physical resurrection of our bodies.

The mistaken belief of the Sadducees raises another important question: what is the point encouraging any faith in God if the best you can hope for at death is your soul will also die?

The answer is – none!

The Apostle Paul understood the truth of this. There were some in the church at Corinth who were teaching that there would be no resurrection of the dead. In unmistakably clear language, Paul stated that if this is the case, then:

• Christ had not been raised.
• Christian faith was futile and useless because without the resurrection of Jesus, we have not been forgiven and we are still trapped in sin. (See 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

Faith without the hope of the afterlife or resurrection is pointless.

But because Jesus did die and rise again, faith in Him enables us to live this life well, and guarantees a glorious future is waiting for us in eternity!

Today’s Bible reading: Mark 12:18-27