Lori and I have have been married for almost 25 years. I love her and would do anything for her, and based on our relationship, she does and would do the same. But when Christ returns, she and I will have our eyes fixed only on Him and our marriage will not be the same.
“30For in the resurrection they neither marry not are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” – Matthew 22:30 (ESV)
Jesus here was being challenged by the Sadducees. They were distorting things in the hopes of catching Jesus in some sort of falsehood. The scenario was from such a one-off place that it was clear they were only speaking from a place of the law, and were not bringing God into the thought at all. As members of the “religious” they were looking at a legalistic view of marriage and not one from the perspective of God.
Legalism has no place in our life with God. The law, whereas is important for us to obey, is in place as a determiner of punishment and not there in the interest of doing God’s work. I often say that the law and everything with it only keeps the honest people honest. Those that will break the law do not pay attention to the law.
The Sadducees were caught up in the law and not in the life devoted to Christ. As such, they would not see the living according to God’s commands. In fact, the Pharisees challenged Jesus just after He made the statements about marriage and the resurrection with this question, and Jesus answers.
“’36Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ 37And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:36-37 (ESV)
The law is in place to remind us that we are to do what is right. And what is right, doing that which is pleasing to God. And what is pleasing to God, loving Him with all of you.
We may have a spouse here in this world, and we are to devote to them as we see in Ephesians 5:22-33, but our more permanent devotion is to God. We are to love Him will everything and devote our lives to doing His will. In this world, the Lord is where our eyes are fixed for guidance and direction while we also spend our time lovingly devoted to our spouse. When the resurrection comes, He is where 100% of our focus will be and our marriage here in this world is transformed into a sibling relationship with God as our father.
I love and am devoted to Lori, and while here in this world, I and she together fix our eyes on Christ to lead us. But, when Christ returns our devotion turns 100% to Him and the law of man, in this world is eroded away.
Where are you devoted and to whom for what reason? Are you looking to the law to keep your relationships? What if we looked to God for all and allowed the law in this world to erode away?
Trevor's Thoughts 