Our scripture this week is Luke 20:27-38.
But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘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, for to him all are alive.”
Luke 20:37-38
As we have heard, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection. Jesus uses an Old Testament quote that they would know well to prove His point to them. Perhaps they don’t accept Jesus’ scriptural authority, but since they began their argument using Moses as their guide, Jesus gives them a response from Moses.
Jesus was a wise teacher, knowing that people have to have something relatable before leading them to a new or different way of thinking. He wasn’t intentionally trying to make the Sadducees look foolish, He merely brought up something familiar and led them to see it in a new way. His way of arguing wasn’t competitive, He wasn’t out to “win” the debate, but to win people back to a relationship with God.
We can find new ways of looking at the world through His teaching, and a much better way of interacting with each other. Jesus advocated a rational sharing, seeing each other as God’s children, not adversaries to be defeated. If we discuss to understand and teach, rather than to shame and win, we will be better able to reach our brothers and sisters for Him.
Patient God, we often behave in ways that sadden You, not respecting Your children and Your creation. Forgive us and show us how to love each other as You love us. Amen.