March 16th Virtual Worship
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, March 16, 2025 Second Sunday of Lent
Scripture Reading: Mark 12:18-27
Sermon: What About Resurrection?
Mark 12:18-27
Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him 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.”
Key Idea of the Sermon
Jesus is loyal to the reign of God not Rome, which is why a Roman cross awaits Jesus on the Friday of Holy Week. The teachings of Jesus we will study during Lent have added weight because they are spoken in Jesus’ final days. Today’s topic invites reflection on resurrection. Is there life on the other side of death? Despite a ridiculous and insincere question, Jesus insists that the earliest affirmations of faith in our scriptures honor the God of the living not the dead, and furthermore that life in heaven will be free of the entanglements that complicate life on earth. Of course, Jesus’ empty tomb speaks most persuasively of the life to come.
Questions for Reflection
• What experiences of death have you known? How have you moved through the journey of grief? How have loss and grief changed you?
• How does this teaching of Jesus give you hope for life beyond death?
• How do you imagine the experience of being in heaven?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Some give up an unhealthy habit during Lent, others take on a healthy spiritual practice to grow closer to God during Lent. Choose one or the other that is most helpful to you and stick with it. If you need help reach out to your pastors.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
