Matthew 22: The King and His Law (4)
Pray Psalm 91.1-3.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
Sing Psalm 91.1-3.
Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside.
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide.
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide.
Read Matthew 22.1-33; meditate on verses 30-33.
Why were people astonished?
Prepare.
1. What did Jesus say about the resurrection?
2. What did He say about angels?
Meditate.
This second part of Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees is interesting on several counts. First, it gives us a new insight to the spiritual world, where myriads of angels serve us at the Lord’s command. We perhaps have never wondered about angels, whether they marry. Jesus says they do not. They are complete in themselves as creatures devoted to God. One day we will be like them. “Like” them, that is, with respect to marriage, but not essence. Angels are angels and human beings are the image-bearers of God. The primary way that we will one day be like the angels is that we, like them, will be completely satisfied and joyful in the Lord alone. Does this mean we won’t know or love our spouse? Not at all. We are, after all, to be fully human and fully ourselves, but fully like Jesus as well (1 Jn. 3.1-3). And He will be our all in all.
Second, note the careful attention to Scripture. Jesus focused on a single word to make the case for the resurrection—the state of being word “am”. This word is not present in the Hebrew text (where it is understood); however, in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament, which was widely in use in Jesus’ day, the verb is present in the text (εἰμι, eimi—I am; Matthew has the verb in his text, so he is quoting the Septuagint). It seems Jesus had the Septuagint in mind here, since He built on that verb to remind the Sadducees that God is not the God of the dead, but He is the God of the living. Jesus repelled the challenge of the Sadducees by appealing to a single word in Scripture. Every word of Scripture matters.
Third, we note that Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke the Sadducees publicly. They picked the fight publicly, and they would have to bear the consequences. The “multitudes heard” His response, so He must have made a point of saying it loudly enough for all who were nearby. And the people “were astonished at His teaching.” These days we think we need long sermons to impress God’s Word on His people. Jesus could do it with one word—or at least, one verse and a simple explanation. The Word of God did the rest.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
After having dealt with the quintessential problem of all thinking that misses the mark of truth— “not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22.29)—Jesus goes on to explain about the reality of the resurrection, and the realm of angelic beings.
There is a resurrection.
God is the God of the living.
Angels don’t marry.
We will live as they do in heaven.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11.1).
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11.6).
“For I know that my Redeemer lives…” (Job. 19.25).
“And God said…I AM WHO I AM” (Ex. 3.14).
“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM’” (Jn. 8.58).
“I AM the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (Jn. 11.25, 26).
“I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End…
Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1.8).
The essence of Jesus’ words to the Sadducees, would be similarly resaid
by the angel to the disciples at the empty tomb:
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen!” (Lk. 24.5, 6).
Jesus Christ is the Great I AM.
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God” (Jn. 1.1).
And our proper response to The Powerful Word?
“LORD, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments” (Ps. 119.166).
Reflect.
1. Why did the Sadducees try to discredit the idea of the resurrection?
2. Why is it hard for many people today to believe in the resurrection of Jesus?
3. How do we as Christians show that the resurrection of Jesus really happened?
Further, he quotes Moses to explain the eternity of souls: “I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob,” and immediately he adds, “For he is not the God of the dead but of the living.” Thereby he shows that souls live after death. Jerome (347-420), Commentary on Matthew 3.22.23
Pray Psalm 91.4-16.
Thank God for angels, and pray that He will send them to guard and keep you throughout the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 91.4-16.
Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
He will shade us with His pinions, ’neath His wings we safety find
from night’s terror, from day’s arrow, from the fears that stalk our mind.
When destruction falls at noon time, safe in Him shall we abide.
Thousands at our sides may falter—it will not to us come near!
We instead shall see the end of all who at God’s mercy sneer.
Evil shall no more befall us for we hold the LORD most dear.
He shall give His angels charge to bear us up, lest we should fall;
they will guard and carry all who on the Savior’s mercy call.
Cobra, mighty lion, serpent: We shall tread upon them all!
Save us, LORD! We love You only; set us up secure on high!
You we know, on You we call in trouble: Hear us when we cry!
Show us Your salvation, let long life forever satisfy!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is focusing on how we can improve our powers of reasoning. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
