Monday, August 28, 2023

"The Answer" (Matt. 22:29-32)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8/28/2023 8:44 AM

 

My Worship Time                                                                                         Focus:  “The Answer”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                              Reference:  Matthew 22:29-32

 

            Message of the verses:  29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. 30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 “But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 32  ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.’”

 

            I have to say that I think that perhaps in the minds of these arrogant Sadducees that they were thinking that Jesus was just going to give up, not say a word, and then walk away in humiliation and disgrace, similar to what happened to the Pharisees when they debated with them.

 

            However what we see is that without hesitation and immediately “but Jesus answered” them putting them on the defensive, saying to them, “You are mistaken.”  MacArthur writes “The Sadducees has succeeded only in putting their own ignorance on display for everyone in the Temple to see and hear.  ‘You are dead wrong,’ Jesus said in effect, ‘and have no idea what you are talking about.’”  I believe that because of their arrogance that they were not “Sad you see.”

 

            MacArthur writes about “Planao, from which are mistaken is translated, means to go astray, wander off, or deceive.  In its form here it means to lead oneself off course or to stray from the truth.  It often carried the idea of being cut loose from reality.  Like the false teachers condemned by Jude, the Sadducees were ‘wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever’ (Jude 13).”

 

            Now as we continue looking at these verses we will find out that next Jesus presented the two reasons why the Sadducees were mistaken.  Now let me say something that also goes along with the answer as to why they were mistaken and it has to do with the JW’s and also other “religious” groups like that.  The other day I was leaving my development to do something, probably taking my walk when I spotted a very nice Lincoln dropping off a number of very good dressed men and women.  I know what these people were doing as they came to petal their poison in our neighborhood.  I have to give them credit in getting out to neighborhoods doing what they believe is right, but they were erring in not understanding the Scriptures, just like the Sadducees, and in the Sadducees case they were also erring in not understanding the power of God.  Nothing could have cut them to the quick worse than to be accused of not understanding these two areas in which the proud Sadducees considered themselves most authoritative.

 

            In our next SD, Lord willing we will look at how the Lord then explains, in reverse order, how they misunderstood God’s power.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I suppose that at times I may have misunderstood certain parts of the Scripture, but not the important parts which talk about salvation.  If you understand about salvation and receive it you then have the Holy Spirit living in you to teach you what is in the Bible.  It is also very, very important to keep yourselves from sin so that the Holy Spirit can continue to teach you.  Remember 1 John 1:9.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Remember 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Confess means agreeing with God, and don’t let pride get in your way which may cause you to not agree with God about certain sins.

 

8/28/2023 9:14 AM

 

           

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