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’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

Mark 12:18-27

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’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” Mark 12:26-27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:18-27.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the third (of three) division (vv26-27):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Divine Power to Do What God Promises." 
• "Jesus defeats the Sadducees on their own turf, the books of Moses. The doctrine of resurrection finds Old Testament support in places like Job 19:25-27; Psalm 16:9-11; and Daniel 12:2. Jesus in grace meets the Sadducees where they are and takes them to the “burning bush” story found in Exodus 3:6. There God speaks to Moses in the present tense: “I am . . . the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Though they died physically, they are alive spiritually right now!" 
• "Further, being their God implies covenant, and it is inconceivable that the eternal God does not maintain an eternal covenant with His people, which is exactly what we find in the covenant God made first with Abraham (Genesis 12) and later with David (2 Samuel 7)."  
• The commentary then encourages us to dig deeper into the glory of Heaven which, while not possible for our earthly minds to fully comprehend, will truly be amazing!  The commentary then shares seventeen observations on Heaven, providing the below table: 

 

 

 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are amazing!  You created the Heavens and the Earth and You hold all of this in Your hands and reign with love and compassion and perfect justice!  You reached down into the pit to save me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.