The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by RandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Luke:20:27-40

kjv@Luke:20:27 @ Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

kjv@Luke:20:28 @ Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

kjv@Luke:20:29 @ There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

kjv@Luke:20:30 @ And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

kjv@Luke:20:31 @ And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

kjv@Luke:20:32 @ Last of all the woman died also.

kjv@Luke:20:33 @ Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

kjv@Luke:20:34 @ And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

kjv@Luke:20:35 @ But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

kjv@Luke:20:36 @ Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

kjv@Luke:20:37 @ Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

kjv@Luke:20:38 @ For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

kjv@Luke:20:39 @ Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

kjv@Luke:20:40 @ And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

Today's notes:

Context:

Before - Luke:20:20-26 Paying Taxes to Caesar
After - Luke:20:41-47 Whose Son Is the Christ?

Study Resources:

dict:easton Sadducees

dict:torrey Resurrection

Notes:

We can look at this either of two ways, it was an honest intellectual question that they wanted Jesus' take on, else it is part of the attack on Jesus already begun attempting to trap Him at His words. If you think it rather innocent then I'd be wondering why they hadn't asked it of Him any time before this climatic week? My feeling is that the question isn't aimed at Jesus, it is aimed at separating Jesus from His public support.

We have multiple accounts to put the pieces of this event together. The crowd hearing this exchange is astonished at Jesus' doctrine. The Pharisees hearing that the Sadducee's had been silenced send a scribe to tempt Jesus regarding the greatest commandment. It is said that the one scribe perceived that Jesus has answered well. These things suggest that the Pharisees and Sadducee's were not in cahoots with this attack and that they (Sadducee's) got their hats fed to them by the answer of Jesus. If this was their best attempt at reasoning against Jesus (if that was what they were after), it sorely failed.

The thing is however that the points Jesus seemed to have scored are to the ledger of doctrine and it is future tense. How much weight does doctrine that cannot be physically proven yet hold with the common man? It is like two heavy weight boxers fighting to a socialite crowd that only wants them to shake hands and peacefully get along. The analogy can continue further that if it is the hometown favorite embarrassed, the better man becomes demonized, the lesser rallied behind. If Jesus can be made to be seen as a threat to the establishment and it's the establishment keeping each man his peace then Jesus becomes the bad guy even by winning the debate. It seems like a chance worth taking even if you have to take your lumps; either you win the debate or you win shift of concern in public opinion. Problem is in this particular case who would think of this strategy outright but a strategist on par with Satan?

Today, we often face a similar playing field when reasoning with others with our declaration of certainty. The truth must indeed be spoken, but don't expect the truth to put you in the favorable position; not for long anyway. I am reminded of the many sentiments of David, that is so effortless being on the wrong side (even the status quo) and so nearly impossible to establish/maintain and further the right. That is not reason for not attempting it, it is a calling for courage while knowing it full well. It is this valiant effort that best describes righteousness.

Lost in this winning dialog is the phrase "they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain" kjv@Luke:20:35. How can one lowly sinner be accounted worthy without the covering of the blood of the Lamb? In the other two accounts the phrase to be plugged into this would be "err not knowing the scriptures or the power of God".

Key Messages:

Declaring Certainty

kjv@Isaiah:25:8 @ He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

kjv@Hosea:13:14 @ I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:12 @ Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

kjv@1Corinthians:15:13 @ But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

kjv@1Corinthians:15:14 @ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:15 @ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:16 @ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

kjv@1Corinthians:15:17 @ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:18 @ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:19 @ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

kjv@1Corinthians:15:20 @ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Luke:20:27-40
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Luke:20:27-40 rwp@Luke:20:27-40 mhcc@Luke:20:27-40
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index