Daily Devotionals
April 11, 2018
The Mystery of Resurrection
April 11, 2018
DAILY READING
This weekend’s reading: John 20:24-29
FIELD NOTES
How could a person die and then rise again? For skeptics, this is the crucial question of Christianity. Of course, resurrection can’t be proven by logical means, it is a mystery to be accepted by faith.
This question of resurrection is older, however, than even Christianity. In ancient Judaism, there were several competing sects of authorities—the Pharisees (who did believe in resurrection) and the Sadducees (who did not) were the two largest and most influential group. When the Sadducees question Jesus over the issue of resurrection in today’s passage from Mark, they are really mocking his teachings. They are trying to show how ridiculous the idea of resurrection is so that they could hold on to their worldly power and prestige.
Resurrection is not just about what happens to us when we die (although that’s a big part of it!); the idea of resurrection also challenges how we live today. As Christians—people who believe in the Resurrection—we also believe that God can resurrect people today! It might not be a bodily resurrection…yet…but for anyone that feels overwhelmed by sin and despair, the promise of grace is that resurrection can happen today! In Jesus, we are free to be fully alive here and now. That is the power of resurrection.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
- What holds you back from feeling fully alive in God’s grace?
When is a time you have experienced resurrection in your life?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- What does resurrection mean to you?
- How can we live as resurrected people today?
PRAYER GUIDE
Gracious God, thank you for the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of your son, Jesus. Help us to live as freely alive people through your grace today. Amen.