KINGDOM LIVING
Live your life loving God first;
people second
Matthew 22:23-46
Jerry A Collins
SCC
v Can we expect opposition to our faith in Christ?
v How should we answer questions posed by skeptics?
v Does my love for God take priority over man?
When
you review the history of the Bible an amazing thing emerges. It has always
been under attack. It started right after the apostles recorded it for us.
Within the first century attacks upon it’s teachings
were being launched and then confronted by the church. It has never ended. It
goes on even today. And much of it is from within the religious community.
Harold Lindsell wrote two books about this in the
70’s the
OPPOSITION TO GOD’S WORD CAN BE MOTIVATED BY BIAS
In
other words a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents
unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice according to the dictionary. We certainly see this motivation in vs 23.
No resurrection The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection or angels Acts 23:8. So
attempting to discredit Jesus they purposely center their enquiry on the
teaching of resurrection and its implications which they did not believe. This
is no enquiry as to the truth. They already have a tendency that prevents
unprejudiced consideration of the truth in question.
Deut 25:5 Based on this verse they make up a story about a man dying and his
brothers marrying the man’s wife—all to show how ridiculous is the idea of
resurrection vs 24-28. Their question in vs 28 implies that heaven is only an extension of things on
earth we mostly enjoy like marriage.
2 Problems Jesus responds that (1) They are ignorant—they
do not understand the scriptures vs 29. (2) They are
out of touch—they do not know God’s power. What is interesting is that of all
people they should have known both. God’s Word taught the resurrection and His
power can bring people back to life. So Jesus corrects both of these false
notions in vss 30-32.
First is the need to understand the nature of resurrection vs 30 In the resurrection there is no marriage. In
the eternal state marriage will not be necessary. We will be like the angels—notice
He did not say we will become angels—for angels do not marry nor reproduce.
Once we have our glorified bodies the need for procreation will not exist.
Marriage is not eternal—like the Mormons teach—it is only life-long. Marriage
is for this side of the grave. So enjoy it. Participate in it. Have children
from it. Grow in and through it. In eternity it ends.
Second is the need to comprehend the ability of God vs 31-32 Regarding the resurrection of the dead—Ex 3:6—where God says to Moses
that He is the God of Abe, Isaac, and Jacob, these people have been dead quite
a while. This shows Jesus’ view of scripture and it’s
interpretation. His case is made on the present tense of the verb to be, that is I Am. Not I was the God
of Abe, Isaac and Jacob. If they were correct then it should have read I was. Jesus implied God is still God of
these patriarchs for they are alive with God and ultimately will share in the
resurrection of their bodies. Right now the greatest power on earth is death.
No one can beat it. But it will be usurped by an even greater power—that of
resurrection. The ability to instill life again in those who
have died. Paul says if our hope was in Christ only for life on this
side of the grave we are of all men most to be pitied 1 Cor
15:19 and those who have died in Christ have perished—ceased to exist. People
will have certain prejudices and bias that skews and distorts the clear
teaching of Scripture. What we see in Jesus we need to also possess
ourselves—the knowledge of the Word of God that exposes the bias and paints the
truth of God’s Word clearly. Everyone was astonished at His teaching. Today the
plain truth articulated plainly will astonish people mostly because the Bible
is being used but not being taught. So teach it.
WHEN PEOPLE DEBATE
GOD’S WORD WE CAN USE THAT TO CLARIFY WHAT IT MEANS Anticipate the teaching of the
Word to be debated and prepare yourself to clarify what God means.
Pharisees debate The
Pharisees choose a lawyer to ask Jesus a question which they themselves cannot
answer. What is the greatest commandment in the Law?—vs
36 There are 613 laws in the Mosaic Law. They had expanded that to a whole lot
more over 1500 years. When you keep adding laws soon one will contradict
another. So what happens when laws come into conflict? Which is the greatest
law?
Jesus responds Jesus
gives a quick summary of the entire 10 commandments—the Decalogue in vs 37-39. The first commandment summarizes the first 5 and
the second commandment the second 5. That is the OT develops and amplifies
these two ideas—love for God and love for people made
in His image. Jesus articulates our love for God as a love 1. with all your heart—that is with your emotions. 2. with all your soul—that is with your personality. 3. with your mind—that is with intellect and understanding all
from Deut 6:5. This is where you make decisions about yourself. It is the idea
of a comprehensive commitment and determination. Love God
with al of your being body, heart and soul. So a genuine love for God is
based in and rooted within an intelligent, feeling, wiling and serving kind of
commitment—one that is by choice, purposeful, and active. Obedience is a
demonstrable expression of our love for God. Jesus said if you love me you will
obey me. This then is the greatest commandment and foremost. This is the answer
to their question. Jesus goes on with the second commandment to love your
neighbor. There is a definite priority and Jesus expands this in vs 40. There he declares the whole law depends upon these 2
commandments. The whole spiritual life can be lived according to these two commandments.
But it is important to know which is first. You will pervert the wisdom of God
if you switch them around. Our tendency is to serve people first and then God.
How do you define loving your neighbor? You should define that in the context
of loving God first. If your neighbor says he is being cheated by another in
business, your answer to him will depend on which of these two commandments you
put first. If you love
your neighbor you will tell him to retaliate and protect himself. If you love
God you will tell him to turn the other cheek, take the hit and trust God for
the outcome—not revenge or retaliation. So how can he use this business
transaction to turn his heart, soul and mind toward God?
1. Understand the resurrection is real and eternal life is
real. God is the God of living.
2. the number one commandment is
to love God. The number tow commandment is to love your neighbor. Do both, but
never get the priorities reversed.