Some men went to Jesus who were naturalists, they didn’t think anything but the physical world existed. They believed once someone died, they were dead, that was the end, it was over. They tried to trick Jesus, but he had their number.
He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.
Mark 12
God is the God of the living. This sounds like an argument for “going to be with Jesus” when we die, but it isn’t.
This was Jesus’ proof of the resurrection. In Jesus’ mind (and therefore correct, BTW) without the resurrection, the dead saints are dead indeed. Paul agrees in 1Cor 15. The hope of the believer is the (physical, real, actual, future) resurrection. This places value on life, our bodies, the world, physicality. We are not seeking to escape this world, but to return to a renewed and perfect creation.
I love songs about resurrection, one of my favorites is by Chris Tomlin (album “hello Love”)
There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say, “it is well”Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the deadChorus:
I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise
I will riseThere’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyesAnd I hear the voice of many angels sing, “worthy is the Lamb”
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, “worthy is the Lamb”
