Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: Gospel, Luke 20:27-40                     

Luke 20:27-40

A wonderful exchange occurs in Luke chapter 20 between truth and stubborn unbelief. By the way, unbelief is always stubborn. Jesus is confronted by those who have already made up their minds that the physical resurrection is not a thing. Be cautious entering into debate with those who have no interest in learning. But, in just such a situation it’s fun to watch and listen to the Savior. Perhaps it’s a good thing to remember that whenever one engages Jesus in conversation, they are engaging with the truth standing before them.

Here the Sadducees, a sect of Judaism we might classify as theologically liberal, are represented by those who bring a long established practice, Levirate Marriage to the scrutiny of Jesus. It was a practice of God’s people even preceding the giving of the Law, that if a man died childless, it was the duty of his brother to produce children for his legal and family claims through the brother’s widow. In that way, the family lines of tribe and nation would remain intact. But the Sadducees before the Lord were not truly looking for his interpretation. No, they had their take on this issue well in place. They were simply trying to trip up the Nazarene. The result was egg for their faces, but light for their hearts. I pray they heard him.

Read our gospel lesson prayerfully, carefully. Then step back and listen to the great proclamation from the lips of Jesus in verse 38. The resurrection is real. The Bible world is the real world. And Jesus says as much to us today.