"he is not God of the dead, but of the living"

From a discussion today on the Jesus Manifesto site...

I also wonder if the resurrection was really such a unique, unprecedented revelation, if it had not been revealed (or even experienced in a way) before, for those who had eyes to see. I noticed, Brandon, that in your fine synopsis of the Jewish backstory to the crucified Christ, only images of sacrifice appear, and the longing for an end of the suffering and exile, for the answer of God. But aren't there also images and experiences of resurrection also?

These words of Jesus come to mind: "That the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." (Lk 20.37-38)

Then there's the experience of the Exodus, which seems to embody (in many ways) both death and resurrection, at least for those few who believed and could enter the promised land. There's the experience of Abraham and Isaac ("By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac... He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back." Heb 11.17-19). And the parable of the prodigal son, a story of death and resurrection that probably happens again and again, then and now: "...for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." (Lk 15.24)

I do believe that Jesus' death and resurrection is the extreme example and perfect revelation of this, and the act of God that makes all experiences of resurrection possible. But I hope we don't just contemplate and argue about the theological meaning of what God did then. I would think it would be more important to experience it ourselves. And God's still raising the dead now, right, for those who have eyes to see?

I sometimes wonder if most Christians ever get beyond the question, "How, if we are supposed to be the righteous servants of the almighty God, are we still in this bind?" Or at most hold out hope for the savior who will one day vindicate them and undo their exile.

But isn't God offering experiences of resurrection now, just as he always has for those who believe and (following Jesus) enter the promised land, the kingdom of God?