“Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”” Mark 12:24-27 (NKJV)
We are greatly mistaken:
In Jesus time there were three groups of priests in the temple. They are called the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes! In this context the group Sadducees came to Jesus, who never believed in the resurrection or after life. So Jesus was explaining to them the people who die knowing God and walking according to the Word of God will be in heaven after death. That life is not like the one on earth, whereas people will be like angels in heaven. We Christians are supposed to know the Scriptures and know that going to heaven, living God fearing life here is more important than studying well, getting a job, marrying and have a family. Many are settled happily achieved all these and think God is well pleased. But the Lord very clearly saying in the above verses that we are greatly mistaken.
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 (NKJV)
World has come into the Church and into Christians’ life. We have no one to tell them anything about the next world —heaven or hell, because no one is interested. If we speak, they think we are jobless and talking something and not fruitful like them — working and bringing food on the table and educate the children well to live a comfortable life. Are they really having a comfortable life doing all these is a million dollar question?! The truth is how much you try, toil and set things right here and not bothering about the next world, you end up empty and suffering. Jesus said do not toil over the food that perishes.
“Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”” John 6:26-27 (NKJV)
Warning to everyone including me:
Beware. We should prioritise what we are pursuing. We should pursue eternal life, not temporary life, where once we leave this earth we should leave everything and go empty handed. We should make sure we repent every time we are going after the worldly things and go after the heart of the Lord Jesus, who is waiting for you to come after Him and do His Will without fail to enter into eternal rest with Him after finishing His work that is meant for each one of us to do.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:10-12 (NKJV)