You’re Missing the Point

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Scripture:

“He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.”
(Mark 12:27 NRSV)

Observation:

The Sadducees were posing questions to Jesus about the resurrection and marriage. The problem was that they were mistaken in their understanding and as a result, they revealed that they did not know the Scriptures, nor the power of God. Faith in the resurrection had everything to do with faith in the covenants and they missed this vital link. “In arguing an obscure point, the Sadducees lost sight of the power of God to raise the dead. Jesus’ own resurrection became final proof of his divine identity” (Tertullian)

Application:

It’s so easy to get hung up on arguing obscure points that we miss out on the big picture. This doesn’t mean that details don’t matter, but they cannot become all-consuming, to the point of missing out on what God has in store. 

When we begin to see what Jesus is saying here, it becomes a roadmap for living life. My dad is reaching the end of his earthly journey and he longs for what lies ahead. I’ve had to slow down a little and contemplate what he is telling me. Throughout the journey of life he has learned to focus on the life that he has in Christ. That life in Christ has carried him through the years and brought him to the place where he is today. Some might argue that he is coming to the end of life, but he sees what Jesus has to offer, and that is life eternal. God is God of the living, and not the dead. If we are to be united to God, then we are united to life. If all we can see are the details of this life, then we we missing the true nature of life that God is offering us through Christ.

Life is a journey which does not end with worldly definitions, but continues into the eternal through participation with the one who is The Way, The Truth, and the Life. If you can’t see this, then you’re missing the point.

Prayer:

Lord, May every day of the journey be one in which I am privileged to draw closer to you. Amen. 

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