Mark 12:18-27 (NRSV)
Jesus teaches about the resurrection
Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 'if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.' There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her."
Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, '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; you are quite wrong."
Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 'if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.' There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her."
Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, '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; you are quite wrong."
Reflection
It's about relationships. It's not all about the letter of the law. It's about how God is with us and we are with God if we are on this earth or not. God created us to be so much more than flesh. God created us to be in relationship with him for eternity, flesh or no flesh. God is our God if our flesh is alive or not.
Our bodies are useful to us however. We live in this body and live with God even as we decay. Our spirit exists with God in relationship in this body or the new body to come. It's all about relationships and love that God has freely shown to us through Jesus. And in this body we live for God and for the love of one another. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Jesus you were the first in resurrection. Your body was given for us to take in flesh and blood. Given for us in relationship with you and for us to be in communion with one another. Teach us how to live the resurrected life this day. --- Amen
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