Today’s devotion covers Mark 12:18-27. We will focus on verses 26 and 27.
“26 “But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning 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 the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.” Mark 12:26-27.
We tend to pass by these verses in a rush, without much thought, thinking: “I know that!”
Unlike the “Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection)”, we believe in the resurrection of Christ and also that Christians who die are resurrected and are given imperishable bodies and are very much alive. See all of Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, particularly verses 12 through 15: “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-15.
We confess The Apostle’s Creed: “The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting.”
But, there is more meaning to this Scripture. God identifies Himself as THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob’. In one sense, we are God’s “PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION” 1 Peter 2:9, but in another sense, God is our God. It certainly does not make us equal in value or standing or position or ownership or authority; God forbid that thought. But, God has allowed Himself to be identified as our God, “THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and …’.
Ezekiel 37:27:
“My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
Deuteronomy 29:13
“in order that He may establish you today as His people and that He may be your God, just as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Acts 3:13
“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him.”
Question and Answer 26 of The Heidelberg Catechism includes this identification of God as “my God, and my Father”. He is not only “Almighty God”; He is our “faithful Father“.
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Question 26. What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?
Answer. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father; on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body: and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage; for he is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.” (Emphasis added.)
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 