PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 22:23-33
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)
This question asked by the Sadducees is a legitimate one, based on the Law of Moses.
Technically, this is how Levirate marriage worked (Deuteronomy 25:5-6).
But Jesus challenges how they read scripture, like a technical rule book.
The scriptures speak to life in this fallen world; they’re not the final vision.
They are limited and time-bound attempts to point us to the new creation.
We also sometimes read the bible too technically, too literally.
In Jesus’s parables, the kingdom of God is something like… and yet so much more.
“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
As Jesus followers we need to read the words of scripture with humility and hope.
They point us in the right direction, but they do not give us detailed definitions.
We will have differences of interpretation (history and experience prove we do!).
We need to hold our ‘doctrines’ and ‘definitions’ lightly, with humility.
We need to teach and practice it with humility too; we’re likely wrong somehow.
The truth is so much more than our feeble attempts to understand and explain it.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for thinking and teaching as if ‘I know the truth’ and ‘my interpretation is right’. Help me to think and teach with humility and grace, always open to learning and rethinking (repenting).
“you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” I underestimate the power of God and the power of the scriptures – how the spirit working through scripture and our living leads us in life now and for the future. Forgive me Lord. I love these words: of Jesus: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[a]? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” The people we study in the Bible are real and living today! I have hope that I will see my Mother and Father again – and my grandson Eric. Yes God is the God of the living. Help me Lord to live for you by serving others!
The religious leaders once again tried to trap Jesus. They themselves didn’t believe in the resurrection so why the remarrying question? But the power of the resurrection should be evident today in me by what I do and say – by my love for Him in all my activities – speaking, working, helping, serving, etc. Others need to see that power within you and me.
1
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
2
In all the world around me
I see His loving care,
And though my heart grows weary,
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading,
Through all the stormy blast;
The day of His appearing
Will come at last.
3
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs
To Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him,
The Help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.