[Jesus speaking]
“But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬-‭11‬
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live WITH him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but THE LIFE HE LIVES, HE LIVES TO GOD. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

God wants us to move forward and dream big for the future with him.

The Sadducees were leaders who did not believe in angels, demons, heaven, hell, or the resurrection. They believed that the soul died with the body. They also believed in free choice with no Godly interference. This means God did not interact with his creation.

Sadly, they controlled much of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling body) and the temple.
Jesus gives them a sharp rebuke here, because he said that God is not the God of the dead but the God of the living! When God spoke to Moses, he referred to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as alive not dead. So we see that God wants us to realize that he is the author of life.

Many people are stuck looking back in life. They either made some big mistakes, committed some big sins, or they have deep regrets for what they did not do, or who they currently miss. They are in essence stuck contemplating “dead things”, or things that cannot be changed and are in the past.

I was stuck here for a while when my mom passed away, and at other times when I sinned against God. Sometimes in sin, I would punish myself, try and belittle myself, and think ill of myself. This is a terrible practice, a deception that the evil one tries to draw us into. It keeps us from turning to God and receiving his grace.

What Jesus is saying here is that if you truly understand the afterlife, you can live life truly free from sin and in power! The Romans passage reinforces this too. Jesus died once for all, and when he rose again, all can live again in the life that he gives. As he conquered sin and death, we can leave these things in the past and live a fulfilled life with him steering the boat!

Lord, I am so joyful that you have chosen me to be your child. You love and desire for me to truly live. Teach me to trust you and dwell on your promises. May I have confidence to believe you for those things you want to bless me with. Praise your name!