What Jesus Did! 'God of the Living' — Mark 12:26-27

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

[Replying to the Sadducees, Jesus continued,] "But now, as to whether the dead will be raised — haven't you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error."
— Mark 12:26-27 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus uses skill, wit, and cunning to argue with the religious leaders using their own form of logic. "He is the God of the living," Jesus asserts. So if God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (a truth that these people professed every day), Jesus is saying then there has to be a resurrection. We know that God is God of all — both those who are physically alive and those who are physically dead but whose spirits are still alive. We believe that God will judge all people and their eternal destinies hang in that evaluation. We also believe that he will judge with grace, mercy, and justice. However, God does not see time as we do. Years are insignificant in their passing to him. A thousand years can be no more than one little day to God (Psalm 90:4). Yet because God is, we will continue to exist just as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob do. God is the God of the living. Death does not have control over us any longer.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for ensuring that life is eternal and is found in you. In Jesus' name, I pray to you, O eternal Father. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Revelation 1:8; 22:13
  • 1 John 3:1-2
  • 2 Peter 3:8-9

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 12:26-27 NLT — ' So he is the God of the living, not the dead.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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