Luke 20:41–44

Luke 20:41-44 

English Standard Version 

  Everyone is trying to figure out just who Jesus is.  In Jesus' time, the Pharisees were thinking at most, he was another king in the line of David.  But Jesus didn't conform to their expectations -- he had much grander plans than that.  

  In the same way, Jesus doesn't conform to our expectations, either.  He has much grander plans than that.  He takes a large and universal approach, working to redeem God's beloved humanity and the creation in which we live.  God is at work to solve the problems of sin that separate us from each other and that creates a division between us and creation.  God looks at things beyond time and space, so while we see the veil of death, Jesus recognizes that there is life beyond the veil, even if we cannot see it.  

  And so we must trust in Jesus, in the Jesus who sees a greater life than we can and the Jesus who sees problems differently than we do.  It isn't always easy.  When our children were young and we took them to the doctor and they received vaccinations, they didn't really like it... but we thought it was best for their long-term health.  In the same way, there are things in this life that we cannot grasp the good in.  We must learn to trust, to lean into Jesus, and remain faithful, day after day.

Learning Contentment: A sermon on Philippians 4 (Oct 11, 2026)

Luke 20:34–40

Luke 20:34-40

English Standard Version 

  What will marriage look like in heaven?  Will I see the friends I have loved along the way?  Will we recognize one another?  Will I be able to enjoy the beauty of a sunset?  Will every car have a 6-speed transmission, or will some have automatics?  Will it be possible to eat too much ice cream?  Will the Reds still be mediocre then?

  All vital questions to answer.  Many of these, we don't have answers to -- we will only find out when we pass through the veil.  The character and words of God set clues for us, though.  We know that God has compassionate love for us, and that God made us to be in relationship with one another.  It seems likely that the God who forms us for community will not have an aspect of community, of relationship, with one another.  What does that look like exactly?  Hopefully I won't find out for another 60+ years.  

Will relationships in heaven be less loving than the ones here on earth?  I doubt it.  It seems like they would be more.  Again... I don't know exactly how it will work, but I trust in the God who has been crafting and guiding relationships for millennia to continue to do so for eternity to come.  

  What's vital here is that Jesus speaks of the dead as though they are alive.  God does not allow death to have the final word over God's beloved, which includes you.

  So trust in God, and lean into the Savior who came and conquered death so that you might live.

Luke 20:27–33

Luke 20:27-33

English Standard Version 

  This is likely not the burning question that many people have about the resurrection.  Well, at least it's not mine.  You may wonder what the Sadduccees are doing.

  One thing to note is that the Sadduccees didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead.  (Which made them Sad. You See?  Preacher jokes...)  So they're constructing this absurd scenario to make the resurrection look like just an extension of this world, only with comical scenarios caused by the forward projection of some laws.

  But that's what the resurrection is like.  It's not simply this world, only with a few things changed.  God isn't simply trying to tweak this world.  God is transforming us, at work in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The resurrection is something new, something different, and the focus isn't on us and what our living quarters will be like.  It's about a new relationship with God, one with unlimited worship and joy.  

  So let's not get caught up in debates about what exactly dancing on clouds will be like.  Instead think about the dynamic relationship with your Creator, who is awesome in power and might, filled with love and mercy forever and ever.