The Sadducees planned to trap Jesus (Luke 20:27-40).  They asked in effect, "If seven brothers in succession marry the same woman and die without children, who will be married to the woman at the resurrection?"  Jesus told them that those resurrected are like the angels; they live forever and do not marry.  Our God is the God of the living, not the dead.

The Sadducees were hopeless, dead people.  They did not believe in the resurrection.  (That's why they were 'sad, you see.')  They did not share Jesus' message of light, love and life.  They wanted Him dead.

The majority of people today are like them, 'living dead.'  They try to carry on without faith in Jesus Christ or any hope of the resurrection from the dead.  Their worldly gods are dead: money, entertainment, power, fame, health, earthly beauty.  These gods run out, bore, fade, rot and disappoint.  It's just a matter of time. 

One day Jesus Christ will return to judge the living and the dead.

All who are alive by faith will attain the resurrection from the dead.  All who reject the Christ will perish.

Jesus says (Rev. 1:17-18 ESV): "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."  Our God is the living God for living people.  He saves.  He is the great I AM - who lives in the eternal present.  He raises children from the dead by the power of his Word and resurrection.

God told Moses (Exodus 3:15): "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."  All of the saints by faith from all time live in Him.

No reason to be 'sad, you see.'  Share this hope and faith in Jesus Christ.  Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10).  Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rlcbaytown.org 1200 E. Lobit Street Baytown, TX 77521