Lenten Reflection for April 5 by Connie Packard

By Connie Packard

The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said, “If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.” Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman herself died. In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’

 Jesus answered them, ‘You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.’Matthew 22: 23-32
Reflection

This passage is about the power of God and the encounter with God in this life, rather than in the next. The sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, try to discredit Jesus by asking a tricky theoretical question involving the resurrection. Jesus chastises them sharply, saying they are wrong because they know nothing about the scriptures or the power of God. He speaks of the resurrection in general terms: there is no marriage in heaven because all will be angels of God. I think this leaves a lot to individual imagination because Jesus seems most concerned with teaching about the power of God and this life. He reminds them that God is not only the God of Abraham but is the God of Isaac and Jacob as well. I think he is saying that God is greater than, and cannot be limited to, any one set of beliefs. His striking statement that “God is not the God of the dead but of the living ” is wonderfully provocative. Perhaps he means that it is here and now that we engage with God; that we should not worry about what happens after we die but trust His love and His power.

In this short passage, we contemplate the unlimited and therefore the ultimately unknowable power of God and also our encounter with God’s power in this life. Immediately after this passage in Matthew comes Jesus’ familiar statement of the two most important commandments: that we shall love God with all our heart, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourself. This is very clear, but of course not easy. Nevertheless, it is good to have a guide and His power on the journey.

Prayer

Loving God, Holy Spirit of power and mystery,
We are grateful that You have shown us through your son, Jesus, that our most important task in life is loving you with all our hearts and souls and minds, and our neighbors as ourselves. We pray that you help us remember always Your love and its power. Help us to cultivate this love as it is not always easy and we need your help at every turn to share it with one another and with all those our lives touch.
We ask this in the name of Your son, Jesus.
Amen.

Connie Packard has been a member of The Park for 8 years. She has been a Deacon and is a member of the Ministry Council and of the Building Team.