How does Luke 20:38 connect with Exodus 3:6 about God's eternal nature? Setting the Scene • Exodus 3 occurs roughly four centuries after the deaths of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. • Luke 20 records Jesus’ conversation with the Sadducees, who deny the resurrection. • Jesus cites Exodus 3:6 to reveal the ongoing life of the patriarchs and the everlasting nature of God. Exodus 3:6—God’s Self-Revelation “Then He said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ ” Key observations • “I am” (present tense) shows continuous, unbroken existence. • God links His name to men who were physically dead, underscoring that their relationship with Him still stands. • This moment foreshadows His fuller declaration in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.” Luke 20:38—Jesus’ Inspired Commentary “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” Key observations • Jesus reads Exodus 3:6 literally and authoritatively. • By affirming that the patriarchs are “alive” to God, He confirms life beyond the grave and anticipates bodily resurrection. • The Lord grounds resurrection hope in God’s unchanging nature, not in human conjecture. Shared Truths About God’s Eternal Nature 1. Self-existence • Exodus 3:14; Psalm 90:2—God depends on nothing outside Himself. • Revelation 1:8—He is “the Alpha and the Omega.” 2. Timeless relationship • Because God transcends time, His covenant bonds outlast human death (Hebrews 11:13-16). • To Him, past, present, and future are immediately accessible; therefore “all are alive.” 3. Faithful covenant keeping • Genesis 17:7—He pledged an “everlasting covenant” with Abraham. • Luke 20:38 shows that divine promises remain active even when believers pass from earthly life. 4. Guarantee of resurrection • Jesus’ logic: if God is eternally the patriarchs’ God, their continued existence is certain. • John 11:25—Christ, the embodiment of “I AM,” secures that promise for all who trust Him. Why This Matters for Us Today • God’s name is a pledge that His people will live with Him forever. • Our assurance rests not in our frailty but in His everlasting, unchangeable character. • The same “I AM” who spoke to Moses and was quoted by Jesus remains our God, present tense, now and for eternity. |
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