In our text for this coming Sunday, we’ll be learning about the Sadducees.  They were wealthy, ruling class Jews and practitioners of false religion.  They used religion to secure their own place in Jewish society but they profited greatly from Roman rule.  It was a cozy situation they had going and they viewed anyone speaking of another Kingdom as a threat to their way of life.  They were contrary to the Pharisees theologically but united with them in their desire to be rid of Jesus.  They asked Jesus a ridiculous question but they thought they were really smart.  As J.C. Ryle wrote, “They make imaginary difficulties their excuse for unbelief.”  We’ll deal with their question and the longer part of Jesus’ answer on Sunday but for now I’d like to point out what Jesus said initially.  As always, it is profound.  In Matthew 22:29b we read, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”  There are really three parts to this.  First, the word mistaken in the Greek is “self-deceived.”  They were wrong because they had misled themselves!  No one else was responsible for their error, they did this to themselves and they were without excuse.  The reason is found in the rest of the statement.  They did not know the Scriptures.  They could quote verses but they did not know the Scripture.  It is possible to prove about anything if we pull verses out of their context.  The Sadducees were guilty of what many people still do…find obscure passages, make supposed doctrines and then show their great wisdom in dismantling the straw man they built.  This is an ancient practice.  Knowing the whole counsel of God is imperative if we are to avoid self-deception.  Finally, they underestimated the power of God.  This is quite easy to do.  There are a number of reasons for fretting and error in doctrine but a principal cause is losing sight of the power of God.  I’m reminded of God’s question to Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?”  Obvious answer implied?  NO!  The omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe is perfectly capable of resurrecting the body and designing life commensurate to its qualities.   If we forget that basic reality, most of our doctrines should be thrown out with our wilted lettuce.  The only way to clarity in this broken and messed up existence is to know God by knowing His Word.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life…let’s keep coming to the Father through Him.

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