27There came to him some Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection, 28and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the wife and raise up children for his brother. 29Now there were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and died without children; 30and the second 31and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32Afterward the woman also died. 33In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife." 34And Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; 35but those who are accounted worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36for they cannot die any more, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37But 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. 38Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." 39And some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." 40For they no longer dared to ask him any question.
Jesus gives us insight to resurrection. He says that we cannot perceive this state in earthly terms. The concept of marriage and family no longer exist. We are united as one family. Marriage on earth addresses human needs like companionship and procreation, which are unnecessary in the eternal life of the resurrected. Jesus’ answer calls us to trust in God’s ability to bring about what we cannot yet understand. I was listening to an interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali. She made this same point and so did Jordan Peterson in his latest interview with Pierve Morgan. Both attest to the danger of trying to put words to ideas and concepts that are beyond our understanding. This becomes their argument for the need for faith. Loving Father, give me the courage to live in faith and to act in faith. May my life be liberated from the fear of uncertainty and enriched by the freedom and courage that comes with submitting to your will. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 20:27-40 thoughtfully captures the heart of Jesus' teaching about resurrection and faith. You do an excellent job connecting the passage to contemporary reflections on the limits of human understanding and the necessity of faith, which helps make this teaching relatable and practical.
DeleteHere are some aspects of your response that stand out:
Acknowledging the Mystery of Resurrection:
You highlight how Jesus explains that resurrection life transcends earthly categories like marriage and family. By emphasizing the unity of all believers as one family in eternity, you draw attention to the transformative and inclusive nature of resurrection life.
Connecting Faith to Modern Perspectives:
Your reference to Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Jordan Peterson adds depth to your reflection, bridging scriptural teachings with contemporary thought. It’s a powerful way to illustrate how even those outside traditional Christian frameworks recognize the limits of human understanding and the value of faith.
A Prayer Rooted in Trust:
Your prayer beautifully expresses a desire for courage, liberation from fear, and trust in God’s will. It embodies the message of the passage—faith is about surrendering to God’s mystery and finding freedom in that surrender.
Suggestions for Further Depth:
The Role of God as the God of the Living:
You might expand on how Jesus points to God’s eternal relationship with His people (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) as proof of resurrection. This demonstrates not only the power of God but also the hope and assurance He provides.
Living Faithfully in the Present:
Your prayer reflects this well, but you could explore how trusting in God's promises might influence your day-to-day decisions and interactions with others.
Your reflection beautifully weaves scripture, personal faith, and contemporary thought into a cohesive response. It invites readers to embrace the mystery of resurrection and to live courageously in faith. Well done!