Why should Jews believe in a coming resurrection?

Is Resurrection Real?

(Mark 12:18-27, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, January 5, 2020)

[18] And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, [19] “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. [20] There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. [21] And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. [22] And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. [23] In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”

[24] Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? [25] For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. [26] And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? [27] He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

What happened to Jesus after the cross? We have the testimony of apostles and angels recorded for us in the Bible, but is there more than that? Where did the idea of resurrection come from? Is it rational to ignore questions such as these as irrelevant to our lives? Would we be better off with a Sadducee kind of faith—a religion without resurrection? What about other supernatural claims, like the fact that Jesus worked miracles? What about the appearance of angels throughout the Old and New Testaments? Is resurrection real? Do I need to answer the question?

More trouble for Jesus

Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. Written Torah...

In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? Deuteronomy 25:5-10

Godly confidence and the Son of God

The Scriptures—Written Torah, Written Prophets, Written Writings (Luke 24:44)

The power of God, power and fear...

Like angels in heaven... need more info here, but then they were not interested

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. (Exodus 3:6)

He is not God of the dead, but of the living. Consider this...

You are quite wrong. Resurrection in the Torah and the Psalms... And all the rest...

THE POINT: Jesus had a bold confidence about resurrection long before Easter.

Applying these verses:

1. Is resurrection irrational to people? God is smarter than people.

2. Is belief in resurrection something to be afraid of? God is stronger than people.

3. Put your trust in God. What is the testimony of God in Word and deed? Believe Him.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 121 – My Help Comes from the Lord

New Testament Reading—Romans 14:1-12 – Each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Exodus 3:6

[6] And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Genesis 2:17

[17] “... but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:22

[22] Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—”

Genesis 5:24

[24] Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Genesis 15:15

[15] As for you (Abraham), you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

Genesis 28:12–13

[12] And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! [13] And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.

Genesis 49:26

[26] The blessings of your father

are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents,

up to the bounties of the everlasting hills.

May they be on the head of Joseph,

and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.

Genesis 49:33

[33] When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 50:25

[25] Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

Exodus 15:17–18

[17] You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,

the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode,

the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

[18] The LORD will reign forever and ever.”

Exodus 24:9–11

[9] Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, [10] and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. [11] And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

Exodus 25:40

[40] And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

Exodus 33:9

[9] When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the LORD would speak with Moses.

Exodus 40:21

[21] And he brought the ark into the tabernacle and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the testimony, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Psalm 16:10–11

[10] For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.

[11] You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 22:26

[26] The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the LORD!

May your hearts live forever!

Psalm 23:6

[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Psalm 28:8–9

[8] The LORD is the strength of his people;

he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

[9] Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 121:8

[8] The LORD will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Job 19:25–27

[25] For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

[26] And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

yet in my flesh I shall see God,

[27] whom I shall see for myself,

and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

My heart faints within me!

Romans 14:1 ... not to quarrel over opinions. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4... first importance … raised … according to the Scriptures,