God of the Living

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus 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.” Mark 12:18-27 

The week after Easter often finds clergy, church musicians and volunteers feeling exhausted. Many church offices close for a few days so that folks can revive a bit before tackling new projects. So much energy has been spend on the planning and observing of Holy Week and Easter services, that these leaders can feel like the overused copiers in their offices. The tomb can look like  a good resting place.

Jesus is tested by the religious leaders. His answer that "He is God not of the dead but of the living." We understand now that there was more to these words than just a theological debate, but Jesus understanding that the death we will all know is not the end. It is a new life, one we cannot understand now, yet we will joined with the living saints above. To those who are worn out by their recent service, there is new life coming both in the near and distant future. The Good News for all of us is that when we are flat out, rubbed raw, exhausted, it is then when the God of the living who reaches out to us and brings new life.

Today, I ask God to help me get up and trust in the renewal of all of life. May we, despite the cold and snow this April, stand up and greet the new days ahead, thrusting that God will provide the life and energy we need for the road ahead.