Daily Devotional For Thursday, January 29, 2026
Good morning Southside and I pray all is well with all of you. If the meteorologists are right this time, we are supposed to get quite a bit of snow starting Saturday evening all the way through Sunday morning. If this happens, we will not have church for people’s safety. We are making our way through the Gospel of Matthew and today we come to Matthew 22:23-33:
“On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, (24) asking, ‘Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’ (25) Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; (26) so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. (27) Last of all, the woman died. (28) In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.” (29) But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor 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 what was spoken to you by God: (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.” (33) When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching” (NASB).
We will take a couple of days to look at this passage. Since the combined efforts of the Pharisees and Herodians had failed to trap Jesus about paying taxes, another group of religious leaders came in their attempt to trap Jesus with a question – the Sadducees. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees only accepted the first 5 books of the Old Testament (Law) as being valid inspired Scripture from God. The Pharisees accepted Genesis through Malachi. The Sadducees rejected all the rules, rituals and regulations of the Pharisees. These two were enemies. The Pharisees believed in a future Davidic rule by a future Messiah whereas the Sadducees believed in cooperation with Rome. The Pharisees were common in their wages but the Sadducees were wealthy and aristocratic. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead – that is why they were “Sad-u-cee.” HA!
The question the Sadducees are asking comes from the Old Testament Law in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. The main purpose of this law and provision was to provide an heir to the dead husband. This would make sure that the land and possession stayed in the family. We see the same thing in the Book of Ruth (see Ruth 3:1-4:12). We see the same provision in Genesis 38:1-26. This was called the Levirate Marriage Code so that the widow would have someone to take care of her in her old age. Now the question posed by the Sadducees to Jesus based on Deuteronomy 25:5-10 would be problematic for this woman.
She had 7 different husbands all according to the Law and was still childless. These crazy scenarios were one reason the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees assumed that if people were resurrected they would be able to engage in procreation. In doing so, the Sadducees had brought God down to their level. Nothing is impossible for God. Since they could not believe in a resurrected life, then God could not raise the dead. And since Moses had not mentioned the resurrection of the dead in the Law, then such belief was erroneous and hopeless. Jesus wasted no time in responding. He made it clear that the Sadducees were wrong in two ways:
- They did not know the Scriptures because if they did, they would believe in it because the Scriptures do talk about it from other Old Testament books such as the prophets, which they rejected.
- They did not know nor would affirm the power of God. If they did, they would have no question about resurrection because nothing is impossible for God.
Jesus made it clear that the Sadducees were foundationally wrong. They assumed if there was a resurrection, people would be resurrected to live the same lives they had before they died. Jesus said that believers would be like the angels in heaven – who are not given to marriage. On earth where death rules, in this life procreation is necessary to fulfill God’s command in Genesis 1:28. Procreation is not needed in a resurrected life because we will have glorified bodies. We will no longer be governed by physical laws of life and death. Heaven is not an extension of the life we now live. Jesus was not eliminating sexes in heaven nor was He advocating we will be asexual beings.
We do not know much about the resurrected life but what we do know is this – relationships will be different than they are here. We will have immortality like the angels. Oh, the Sadducees did not believe in angels (see Acts 23:8). We will look at this more tomorrow. So, what can we learn from this? Clever arguments against the Bible and against faith in Christ are easy to find. Unbelievers are always trying to trap us with their questions. If you are faced with such cleverness and hope to make a meaningful reply, I would like to suggest several ideas from New Testament scholar Bruce B. Barton:
- “Don’t address all the problems. Instead, cut to the heart of the issue, which includes motives and unstated agendas.
- Don’t try to embarrass the questioner with your superior logic; instead, address the heart issue with compassion. Your goal is not to win a contest, but to win a person to faith in Christ.
- Stay with clear teachings of Scripture that you understand. If you get over your head in theology, you’ll be frustrated and ill tempered. At the same time, keep learning, keep searching, keep growing yourself.”
- How does Scripture address this issue? If it does not, then avoid such engagement. Redirect the question about them – ask, “Why are you asking me this question?” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary, “Matthew,” p. 440).
Reflection Assignment: What questions have people asked you that seemed like an entrapment question? How did you respond? Have you ever asked someone an entrapment question about the Bible or God? Are there any questions you have about the Bible or God or what God has allowed to happen to you that have entrapped you in not growing in your relationship to Jesus Christ?
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 16:9-11, “No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. (10) For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. (11) You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, please forgive me when I have allowed unanswered questions keep me from growing in my relationship to You. Give me wisdom through Your Word to answer people’s questions about faith, life and You. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly