So, how do you treat your spouse today? How will you treat your future spouse?

 

READ: Mark 12:18-27

 

Mark 12:25

When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (NIV)

 

• This is in reference to the question of the widow with seven husbands
• None of them would be her husband in heaven
• There is no longer marriage or sex in heaven
• We will be like the angels, but not angelic beings

APPLICATION:

• We need to learn to love our spouses for more than what they provide us here on earth
• Our spouse is our co-heir in Christ
• We need to pray for their salvation (unbelieving spouse)
• We need to encourage one another to grow spiritually (believing spouse)

 

In this passage found in Mark we find this hypothetical question brought to Jesus by the Sadducees. Their question was based on the law of marriage found in Deuteronomy 25:7-10. An interesting item to note is that the Sadducees did not even believe in the resurrection, and therefore they were attempting to ridicule any such belief.

 

Jesus’ answer is a very interesting one, and can cause some concern among believers. What did Jesus mean when He said that we will “neither marry nor be given in marriage;” that we “will be like the angels in heaven”? For some this may be a relief, but for many of us, the thought of not spending eternity with our spouse seems unthinkable.

 

But what does Jesus teach us? Many have differing opinions that span an array of situations and scenarios. But what does scripture teach us on the subject?

 

One of the first things that we must adjust is how we view heaven and our resurrected bodies. Warren Wiersbe explains it this way: “Resurrection is not the restoration of life as we know it; it is the entrance into a new life that is different. The same God who created the angels and gave them their nature is able to give us the new bodies we will need for new life in heaven (1 Cor. 15:38ff).”[i] In other words our physical bodies will be different. Jesus doesn’t say that we will be angels, but rather that we will be sexless like them. There will no longer be a need for marriage or for procreation.

 

One commentary explained it this way: “Marriage is necessary and suitable for the present world order, in which death prevails, in order to continue the human race. But angels, whose existence the Sadducees denied (cf. Acts 23:8), are deathless and live in a different order of existence where they have no need for marital relations or reproduction of offspring. Their lives center totally around fellowship with God. So it will be in the afterlife for human beings rightly related to God.[ii] It is important to note that we will not be merely spiritual beings, but that we will have physical bodies just as Jesus did after His resurrection. Jesus did in fact pass through walls as a spirit would, but He also had a physical body. The disciples were able to touch Him, and on many occasions He even ate with them.

 

Even though we might have opinions or we may even wish for a different scenario, scripture is pretty clear on this one. And yes, the intimacy that can be found in marriage is incredible, and special. But believe me when I say that we won’t even miss it!

 

So, how do you treat your spouse today? How will you treat your future spouse? Do you think of them as someone who is there to meet your physical needs of intimacy? Or someone who is to meet your needs for companionship? Maybe they are far more than that. Maybe, just maybe they were designed to be even more. And so were you!

 

Are you more concerned about what they can do for you or are you more concerned about their walk with the Lord? What do ask about more: Physical attention, meeting your needs and expectations; Or how they are growing spiritually? Which of these are more eternal? Which of these is going to be a reflection of who we are in His presence?

 

Ask God to show you how to love your spouse in a fuller way. Pray for your spouse that they would grow in Christ. Encourage them to get into the scriptures, and to spend time at His feet. Meanwhile lead by example.

 

Each week’s Monday Motivation is taken from the reading schedule found in the Life Journal. If you are ready for the next step in your discipleship, then order yours today or see me for a copy.

www.lifejournal.cc

 

If you would like help in growing in your faith, or if you would like to know how to have faith in Him, then please contact us at (928)636-2949 or email me at pastorguy@cvgrace.com

 

 

 

[i] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 153). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

 

[ii] Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 163). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.