In Search of “Happily Ever After”

Today 2×2 presents a story about hopes and dreams which highlight some of the points of Jesus’ teaching in  Luke 20:27-38 and Paul’s advice in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17.

The topic is the afterlife. There was great disagreement between two major groups of Jews. The Pharisees believed in the afterlife and the Sadducees weren’t so sure.

The Sadducees liked to pass the time of day asking questions. They answered their questions with more questions almost to the point we can almost hear some little voice in the crowd saying “What was the first question?” The Sadducees were the opinion editors of their day.

Jesus was used to the temple banter. He had been taking part in it since he was 12. He was all too familiar with the rhetorical patterns designed to trick you into questioning the accepted.

In Jesus’ day, society was structured so that childless widows had a support system. A brother-in-law would marry and care for them. That system would last as long as there was a supply of brothers-in-law.

Here is a story to help us think about their questions that Luke’s account frames in a culture we no longer practice.

The Story of Paula and Petra

There were once two little girls who lived in the same village at the same time. They might have been the best of friends if their families had not been so very different.

Paula was the daughter of well-to-do parents. Her father was a rich business man and bestowed the finest gifts of clothing and jewelry on his beloved daughter. Her mother kept a fine home with many well-appointed rooms surrounding a beautiful courtyard. Her mother had plenty of household help. Paula’s every need was readily attended. She ate the best foods and slept in a beautiful bedroom in sheets of the softest silk.

Petra, on the other hand, slept on the bare floor of run-down home. Her parents sent her to work during the day. Petra scrubbed, swept and mended for a rich family much like Paula’s. When she finished work, she scavenged through the streets for food and came home to parents who were constantly arguing. She would sneak into her room and curl up in a corner, hoping her parents did not notice her return. If they did, she might be drawn into the argument. A beating would surely follow.

Both Paula and Petra were typical girls in that both dreamed of one day growing up and marrying. Both girls imagined their ideal husbands. Paula wanted to marry a handsome, rich man, just like her father. They would build a house and fill it with rich things and many children. Their home would be built on a foundation of happiness and love. Her parents indulged Paula’s dreams, setting aside money and fine things for Paula’s wedding day. Her father would invite the son’s of his rich friends to dinner so that they might be smitten by his daughter’s charm.

Petra also dreamed of a handsome husband. She had never known a loving home so she dreamed of what that might be like. Her ideal home was little more than to find an end to the feuding. Still, she hoped that she might be loved and cared for and she would no longer live with hunger and fear. Petra’s parents laughed at her dreams. “Silly girl! You’ll never amount to anything,” they told her. “Better enjoy what you have today.”

One day the dreams of both girls were shaken. Petra was sorting through trash in the streets and Paula was trying on a new dress when the ground started shaking. Walls started crumbling.

Petra ran into the middle of the street where all traffic had stopped. People were running into the streets from every direction. They stood paralyzed with fear.

Paula’s father rushed into her room, swept his daughter into his arms and carried her into the courtyard. The family huddled together and watched the walls of their house start to crumble.

Petra stood in the street, alone but surrounded by strangers.

The ground shook for many minutes. Both girls saw their village leveled.

As things settled Paula and her family slowly returned to their home to salvage and repair their lives.

Petra’s world had changed little. She would look for her shack and her parents, but her tomorrow would be much the same as yesterday.

Each day brought each girl a little closer to the day of her dreams—the day when each would have a home of her own with someone to love them—a place where they could live happily ever after.

• Can you see from this story how some people’s views of the future or afterlife might differ? The Pharisees and Sadducees had very different ideas of the afterlife.
• How do you think our view of heaven is shaped by our lives today?
• What advice do you hear from Jesus and Paul?
• How should we spend our days if we are sure of heaven? What if we are not so sure?
• Is hoping and believing enough?

Close with Paul’s blessing for the Christians in Thessalonica.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

photo credit: iliveinoctober via photopin cc