Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. The second and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. Finally, the woman died too. Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.”

Intimacy is something that cannot be forced, but it is in part granted, in part earned. When I think about my relationship with my wife, Cherish, I would say we have an intimacy I am very proud of. We really don’t seem to have any secrets from each other, I can trust her to act in my best interest, she loves me in sickness and in health, and we have sexual intimacy, as well. We are one.

Intimacy with God is unique as it is intimacy with one who is not fully known, who we cannot fully understand, and who is present all the time everywhere, yet hidden from physical sight. That said, intimacy with him is so very sweet nonetheless! It is a journey to know what moves his heart to incredible joy and deep sorrow. It is a journey to understand his purposes and will, and to let him take us by the hand and accomplish them, no matter how crazy they sound. It is, in short, a journey that eternally builds and perpetually increases in intimacy forever, culminating in our entrance into heaven.

What I hear in this question from the Sadducees is not just the simple, technical question of whose wife will a woman married seven times be in heaven. (Jesus technically answers this for them). But I also hear the question: Who will she be intimate with? Who will she share identity with and who will provide for her?

If we are honest, this question roams around in most of our heads from time to time. What will happen to the intimate relationship I have with my wife (or for married women, their husband) if life changes? And these life changes can happen suddenly: death, divorce, loss of sanity, loss of love, change in behavior that kills intimacy, etc. Intimacy is something we rely on in both marriage and in friendship. Some of these same questions can be asked of friends.

Jesus answered this part of the question too. He says we will not be given into marriage in heaven. We will not die and in that way will be like the angels. Our intimacy will be solely with the Almighty God, and in friendship with each other. And this will be so much greater than the wonderful, but imperfect intimacy we experience now.

Speaking of now, we can and will experience intimacy with God on this earth, if we seek him with all of our hearts and surrender to his will.

Jesus, when he was accused of driving out evil spirits by the power of Satan, talked about how this statement was false and preposterous. A kingdom divided against itself will not stand. Then he said something very interesting: “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬)

Do I really believe that Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God on Earth? That he was the representation of the Kingdom of God in our midst? If so, will I also believe that in surrendering my life to his will and ways and accepting his salvation, I am already ushered into his kingdom as a son of God?

So now intimacy with God is not only attainable, it is available right in my heart, with his Holy Spirit who indwells me!

See what John prophesies about: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭2‬)

Lord, thank you for how you answer a seemingly surface level question with deep, spiritual truth. You want more for us, SO MUCH MORE, than we can ever imagine! Teach me to crave and strive after intimacy with you. It is so rich! It will also expand my ability to be intimate with my spouse and my friends too!