Is this the way I live? Do I live like I believe God is the God of the living? The fact that we claim the title, the faith Christian means I am alive in the One who was resurrected. Again, though do I live like God is the God of the living? That may be enough for one devotion right there. But maybe together we can count the ways … Or is God really only a concept, just an image, a good enough stand in for all the other ways and things on which I have come to rely.
This is the Gospel lesson.
Once again, the learned ones come to test Jesus about the law concerning marriage and death and resurrection. But, it’s likely they once again, are asking him the wrong question. Because that’s what we do! We want the legal answer, the rule. We may not follow it, but we want to know what it is, so we can use it to judge others or condemn others behavior. Yikes!!! That sounds harsh, but I know I do that.
So as is often the case, we then like those learned ones of long ago are trying to solve some spiritual conundrum with rules. What else would we do?
There is some good news, because as I see it -- God is the God of the living and all answers to all questions are alive too. A living God is present and active. A living God stands with us. A living God is imparting love, compassion, humility and grace in every moment of every day. An ever-flowing stream of justice and mercy.
Then beloved, a living God is closer to us than a dead one. Our questions, no matter how deep and relevant can’t hold a candle to a living God. God values our questions for sure, maybe not as much our answers.
Alison Schultz+
Priest in Charge
