Scripture: Mark 12:18-27
18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
19 “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.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.
22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.
23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
Observation: Jesus is asked about resurrection by Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. In Jewish law, if a man marries a woman and dies, his brother is supposed to marry her, then if he dies, the other brother etc. In this scenario, if she is raised from the dead, they ask whose husband is she (since she would have had 7 husbands)? This is an observation in missing the point. Jesus shares with them that is not how resurrection works, we are not tied to earthly relationships in the resurrection. We will be like angels, our focus will be on the heavenly realm.
Application: I have married over 20 people in the 3 plus years @ St. Mark's. Every time I meet with the couple I encourage them to go to the courthouse and get married and I can do a blessing ceremony to announce God's blessing on their union. Not one has taken me up on it. The basis for my argument is this scripture. Lutherans do not hold matrimony as a sacrament like the Catholics. But I have found it difficult to announce this same truth of human relationship and the resurrection at the death of a loved one. The human condition is so focused on the love of our husband or wife that we want that love to continue in the life promised forever. Yet Jesus speaks this truth about resurrection so unapologetic.
The kingdom always takes president and my earthly ties keep distracting me from these kingdom truths.
Prayer: In resurrection joy, thank you for claiming me as your own Lord. Help me celebrate the relationship I do have in this life, especially my marriage to Becky. Remind us of your power God, remind us that you are not the God of the dead but of the living.
18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
19 “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.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third.
22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too.
23 At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?
25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”
Observation: Jesus is asked about resurrection by Sadducees who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. In Jewish law, if a man marries a woman and dies, his brother is supposed to marry her, then if he dies, the other brother etc. In this scenario, if she is raised from the dead, they ask whose husband is she (since she would have had 7 husbands)? This is an observation in missing the point. Jesus shares with them that is not how resurrection works, we are not tied to earthly relationships in the resurrection. We will be like angels, our focus will be on the heavenly realm.
Application: I have married over 20 people in the 3 plus years @ St. Mark's. Every time I meet with the couple I encourage them to go to the courthouse and get married and I can do a blessing ceremony to announce God's blessing on their union. Not one has taken me up on it. The basis for my argument is this scripture. Lutherans do not hold matrimony as a sacrament like the Catholics. But I have found it difficult to announce this same truth of human relationship and the resurrection at the death of a loved one. The human condition is so focused on the love of our husband or wife that we want that love to continue in the life promised forever. Yet Jesus speaks this truth about resurrection so unapologetic.
The kingdom always takes president and my earthly ties keep distracting me from these kingdom truths.
Prayer: In resurrection joy, thank you for claiming me as your own Lord. Help me celebrate the relationship I do have in this life, especially my marriage to Becky. Remind us of your power God, remind us that you are not the God of the dead but of the living.
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