The Hope of Resurrection
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38
On February 15, 2015 20 Coptic Christians and a Ghanan who professed his Christian faith were beheaded on Libyan beach by Muslim fundamentalists. The world was in shock and the picture of those martyrs kneeling on that beach went viral. The action of the Second Book of Maccabees takes place between 180 and 160 BC and tells the story about the persecution of the Jews during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1 Maccabees 1:10), who did not spare even women and children. The faithfulness and courage of those seven brothers and their mother were rooted in the hope of the resurrection (2 Maccabees 7:14): God “will raise us up to live again forever” (2 Maccabees 7:9).
However, this hope of resurrection is being ridiculed in today’s Gospel. The Sadducees, a priestly class who held leadership position in Judaism of Jesus’ time, did not believe in resurrection (Acts 23:8). The riddle about seven brothers and a woman who married all of them aimed to show that believe in resurrection had no basis in the teaching of Moses. The law that required a man to marry a wife of his deceased brother (Deut 25:5) would only bring confusion into the next life: “In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be?” (Luke 20:33). On the other hand, if there was no resurrection then the sacrifice of the Maccabean martyrs would be pointless. Moreover, “if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised” (1 Cor 15:16), and so, the apostolic foundation of Christian faith would crumble (1 Cor 15:17).
The Sadducees were wrong because they knew “neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Mark 12:24). First of all, they understanding of resurrection was too materialist. They imagined life after death a kind of extension of life here on earth. But that is not the case. “Marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away” (CCC, 1619). Our life after resurrection will be different but how it will look like remains a mystery (see 1 Cor 15:44-51). Secondly, Jesus in a surprising way interprets the passage “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Ex 3:6). The mission of Moses to take Israel out of Egypt has its roots in the covenant that God established with those patriarchs. But how can the patriarchs experience the fulfilment of these promises when they are long dead? There is only one answer. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still alive – not here on earth, but with God (Luke 20:38).
The Sadducees did not survived to our times. They disappeared after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. But, the One, whose teaching about resurrection they tried to challenge indeed rose from the dead ((Mk 8,31; 9:9; 10:34; 16:6). “Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead” (Rev 1:5a). The Thessalonians were among the first Europeans to hear this Good News (Acts 17:1-9). They abandoned idolatry and “serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9). But, they also experienced persecution (1 Thess 2:14) and probably some of them died for their faith (1 Thess 4:13). What sustained them in those difficult times? It was that hope which the Sadducees did not have that through Jesus, God will raise to life all “those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess 4:14). That “good hope” and “everlasting comfort” coming from God who has loved us (2 Thess 2:16) gave them the strength to endure the challenge of being Christian in a hostile world (2 Thess 3:5).
“But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking I shall be content in your presence” (Ps 17:15). Just before their death the Coptic Christians were praying, “Oh my Lord Jesus”, and after their death they were declared martyrs. But actually they did not die; they entered life and now they behold the face of our Lord Jesus.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38
On February 15, 2015 20 Coptic Christians and a Ghanan who professed his Christian faith were beheaded on Libyan beach by Muslim fundamentalists. The world was in shock and the picture of those martyrs kneeling on that beach went viral. The action of the Second Book of Maccabees takes place between 180 and 160 BC and tells the story about the persecution of the Jews during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1 Maccabees 1:10), who did not spare even women and children. The faithfulness and courage of those seven brothers and their mother were rooted in the hope of the resurrection (2 Maccabees 7:14): God “will raise us up to live again forever” (2 Maccabees 7:9).
However, this hope of resurrection is being ridiculed in today’s Gospel. The Sadducees, a priestly class who held leadership position in Judaism of Jesus’ time, did not believe in resurrection (Acts 23:8). The riddle about seven brothers and a woman who married all of them aimed to show that believe in resurrection had no basis in the teaching of Moses. The law that required a man to marry a wife of his deceased brother (Deut 25:5) would only bring confusion into the next life: “In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be?” (Luke 20:33). On the other hand, if there was no resurrection then the sacrifice of the Maccabean martyrs would be pointless. Moreover, “if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised” (1 Cor 15:16), and so, the apostolic foundation of Christian faith would crumble (1 Cor 15:17).
The Sadducees were wrong because they knew “neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Mark 12:24). First of all, they understanding of resurrection was too materialist. They imagined life after death a kind of extension of life here on earth. But that is not the case. “Marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away” (CCC, 1619). Our life after resurrection will be different but how it will look like remains a mystery (see 1 Cor 15:44-51). Secondly, Jesus in a surprising way interprets the passage “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” (Ex 3:6). The mission of Moses to take Israel out of Egypt has its roots in the covenant that God established with those patriarchs. But how can the patriarchs experience the fulfilment of these promises when they are long dead? There is only one answer. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still alive – not here on earth, but with God (Luke 20:38).
The Sadducees did not survived to our times. They disappeared after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. But, the One, whose teaching about resurrection they tried to challenge indeed rose from the dead ((Mk 8,31; 9:9; 10:34; 16:6). “Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead” (Rev 1:5a). The Thessalonians were among the first Europeans to hear this Good News (Acts 17:1-9). They abandoned idolatry and “serve the living and true God” (1 Thess 1:9). But, they also experienced persecution (1 Thess 2:14) and probably some of them died for their faith (1 Thess 4:13). What sustained them in those difficult times? It was that hope which the Sadducees did not have that through Jesus, God will raise to life all “those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess 4:14). That “good hope” and “everlasting comfort” coming from God who has loved us (2 Thess 2:16) gave them the strength to endure the challenge of being Christian in a hostile world (2 Thess 3:5).
“But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking I shall be content in your presence” (Ps 17:15). Just before their death the Coptic Christians were praying, “Oh my Lord Jesus”, and after their death they were declared martyrs. But actually they did not die; they entered life and now they behold the face of our Lord Jesus.
You can also visit the author's page: Reading Bible
