Marriage at the Resurrection - Matthew 22:23-33
"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."
Reflection: Within the Jewish faith there were two major groups, the Pharisees, who were more fundamentalist; and the Sadduccees, who were more liberal and philosophical. The Sadducees could be likened to the modern day liberal movement that takes a lot of liberty when interpreting the scriptures, even mixing in some worldly philosophy with major doctrines like the resurrection. That is why some in their camp reasoned that there was no resurrection, despite the clear Old Testament teaching that there is life beyond the grave.
As we have seen the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus in there legalistic reading of the Law, and the Sadduccess are trying to do likewise by "reasoning out the possibility" of heaven in their seven brothers marrying the same woman story. Jesus confronts their mental games by telling them that they have no idea what heaven will be like. As the apostle Paul said, "No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind has conceived what The Lord has prepared for those who love God." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Although it is important to love God with all of our minds, and seek after Him in understanding, there is a limit to what we can know on this side. Sometimes in our need to control, we go beyond our limits and try to explain things that can only be understood by God. Or we use knowledge for power and control to lord it over others. The question would be, "by knowing this truth about God and I am going to better serve Him and His people?" Or, am I seeking knowledge in a prideful way, which Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. My guess is the Sadducces wanted to know this so they could continue to maintain their philosophies, and not submit to Jesus as Savior and Lord. In their knowledge Jesus tells them, "You neither know the Scriptures or the power of God."
So as I often try to do, before I judge the Sadducees, where am I prone to the error they make. Where do I seek knowledge for the sake or knowledge versus obedience. Dallas Willard's famous quote is, "We are often educated beyond our obedience." Most of the things we need to know are clearly laid out in scripture, and their application leads not only to knowledge and intimacy with God through Christ and also the power of God through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus thank you for leading us to the Truth that sets us free. Help us to use what we know to put into action by loving You and serving others in Your name, Amen.
33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching."
Reflection: Within the Jewish faith there were two major groups, the Pharisees, who were more fundamentalist; and the Sadduccees, who were more liberal and philosophical. The Sadducees could be likened to the modern day liberal movement that takes a lot of liberty when interpreting the scriptures, even mixing in some worldly philosophy with major doctrines like the resurrection. That is why some in their camp reasoned that there was no resurrection, despite the clear Old Testament teaching that there is life beyond the grave.
As we have seen the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus in there legalistic reading of the Law, and the Sadduccess are trying to do likewise by "reasoning out the possibility" of heaven in their seven brothers marrying the same woman story. Jesus confronts their mental games by telling them that they have no idea what heaven will be like. As the apostle Paul said, "No eye has seen, no ear heard, no mind has conceived what The Lord has prepared for those who love God." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Although it is important to love God with all of our minds, and seek after Him in understanding, there is a limit to what we can know on this side. Sometimes in our need to control, we go beyond our limits and try to explain things that can only be understood by God. Or we use knowledge for power and control to lord it over others. The question would be, "by knowing this truth about God and I am going to better serve Him and His people?" Or, am I seeking knowledge in a prideful way, which Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13. My guess is the Sadducces wanted to know this so they could continue to maintain their philosophies, and not submit to Jesus as Savior and Lord. In their knowledge Jesus tells them, "You neither know the Scriptures or the power of God."
So as I often try to do, before I judge the Sadducees, where am I prone to the error they make. Where do I seek knowledge for the sake or knowledge versus obedience. Dallas Willard's famous quote is, "We are often educated beyond our obedience." Most of the things we need to know are clearly laid out in scripture, and their application leads not only to knowledge and intimacy with God through Christ and also the power of God through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus thank you for leading us to the Truth that sets us free. Help us to use what we know to put into action by loving You and serving others in Your name, Amen.
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