23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”
29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Wai Gong
Japanese Christian Church – Walnut Creek CA
Observation: I thank God daily for His amazing grace and mercy upon my life. And as I read this passage what really speaks to me is this – am I listening to God clearly – do I hear when He tells me “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29). Often I perceive that I am on the right path because things all fit together, but did I really stop to rest and abide in His love long enough to hear clearly what His purpose is for me. In the beginning of my day am I stopping long enough to give Him all my heart, soul, and mind so when that moment He created for me to love my neighbor arrives – my neighbor will see the splendor and majesty of the Creator of the universe in me.
Action: Father in heaven, may You speak into my day so I may hear You clearly where I need to bring Your love. Jesus thank You for Your continued intercessions upon my behalf and the eternal forgiveness of my sins. Holy Spirit lead me in the purpose of the Creator of the universe so His glory, majesty, and power, maybe seen in my life. Amen
I’ve been using this app for my Lenten readings. Today’s was so insightful and challenging. Thank you so much ! These readings and observations encourage me in the Lord.
That’s so great, Sandra. May God continue to encourage you this Lent!
Yay an app user
Observation: I hear the religious leaders asking about minor details and Jesus follows up by summarizing with something major. Most important is that we love God and love people.
Action: I will focus on the majors; loving God and loving people. I will use this as my filter, today, in everything I do.
Observation: The Sadducees thought they knew something. They had a very high opinion of their own intellect. Jesus told them they did not know what they thought they knew. He told them they did not know or understand the most important things and so could not correctly interpret life.
Action: I take this as a warning not to trust in my own intelligence but in God and His Word. Father, I admit that I am nothing, that my intelligence and understanding are small at best. I will trust in what You say and who You are, not in what I understand.
observation: this reminded me of those questions we some times play with, you know the ones like; How will God raise up people who died long time ago whose bodies became fertilizer and absorbed by a tree? Jesus didn’t get all bogged down in the details. You summed it up by saying, “You don’t know the power of God!”
Action: Today I am going to lean into the faith in the power of God over my mind bending, mind boggling detailed explanations!
Another hint that heaven is going to be altogether different and more wonderful than anything we can imagine. Hallelujah!!
Observation: We are quick to separate ourselves into groups–Sadducees, Pharisees, Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, etc., all thinking our own version of God’s plan is more right than the other versions. Then we challenge Jesus to confirm it. But there’s only one who wants to separate us and I’m pretty sure it’s not Jesus. He didn’t give his disciples a lot of commands or detailed instructions. ‘Love God and love your neighbor.’ Does it need to be more complicated than that?
Action: Be aware of my neighbor (that’s everyone) and love them when/where/how I am able.
Wai,
Great word today. I am challenged , to take sabbath to really hear from God. Not to try and multi-task and hope I hear His voice through the noise of my day.
O: the sadducees spent some (most?) of their time in scripture but still missed the point..
A: Lord I ask for your grace to see/hear your living word, that it may pierce through any callousness or pride in my heart, for you Lord are the bread of life.