Prepare for Sunday

October 11, 2026

Ponder

Even though we confess "I believe in the resurrection of the dead", we still find it hard to believe. This week in Luke 20:27-44, we encounter two responses to the shocking promise of resurrection.

First, the Sadducees represent cynicism toward the resurrection. The promise that death does not have the final say is too good to be true. So they "ask" Jesus a question, designed to make Jesus (and all who believe in resurrection) to look foolish.

Second, the Pharisees represent casual complacency toward the resurrection. They cheer Jesus on because he won a theological debate. But it's clear they are not pondering the significance of their belief in resurrection, or else they would be able to embrace Jesus as the Messiah, human and divine, who will rise and make all things new.

Instead of cynicism or complacency, we should allow the resurrection to surprise. This is better than cynicism and complacency. We can worship Jesus, look forward to the age to come, and arrange our lives accordingly. Which will surprise the world.

27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ d 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

20:41–47pp—Mt 22:41–23:7; Mk 12:35–40

41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 David himself declares in the Book of Psalms:

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand

43 until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet.” ’ g

44 David calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The New International Version (opens in new window) (Lk 20:27–44). (2011). Zondervan.