Episode 1177
Are You Too Certain About God? What Jesus Told the Sadducees Might Change the Way You See Everything
The central theme of today's podcast revolves around the profound insights derived from the Gospel of Matthew, specifically addressing the Sadducees' inquiry concerning resurrection and marriage. We explore the notion that theological humility surpasses rigid religious certainty, as evidenced by Jesus's rebuke of the Sadducees for their misconceptions about divine intent and workings. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of recognizing God as a present-tense entity, reminding ourselves that the divine is not confined to historical narratives or future promises but is actively involved in our current lives. This episode invites listeners to engage in reflective practices that acknowledge God's presence in everyday moments. Ultimately, we encourage a faith that embraces uncertainty, fostering authentic connections with the living God amidst our daily experiences.
Takeaways:
- The Sadducees approached Jesus with a complex question that reveals their misunderstanding of resurrection.
- Jesus emphasized that God is a present-tense being, affirming the living nature of faith.
- The dialogue illustrates that theological humility is essential in understanding spiritual truths.
- Our certainty in beliefs can hinder genuine encounters with the divine in our lives.
- Practicing awareness of God's presence in everyday moments fosters a deeper spiritual connection.
- The importance of sharing experiences of God's presence with others emphasizes community in faith.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
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Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading and we're reading today
Speaker B: from the Gospel of Matthew: Speaker B:That same day, the Sadducees approached him.
Speaker B:This is the party that denies any possibility of resurrection.
Speaker B:And they asked Teacher Moses said that if any man dies childless, his brother is obligated to marry his widow and father a child with her.
Speaker B:Here's a case where there were seven brothers and the first brother married and died, leaving no child, and his wife was passed to his brother.
Speaker B:The second brother also left her child as then the third, and on and on, all seven.
Speaker B:Eventually the wife died.
Speaker B:Now here's our question.
Speaker B:At the resurrection, whose wife is she?
Speaker B:She was a wife to each of them.
Speaker B:And Jesus answered, you're off base on two counts.
Speaker B:You don't know what God said and you don't know how God works.
Speaker B:At the resurrection, we're beyond marriage.
Speaker B:As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God.
Speaker B:And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don't you read your Bibles?
Speaker B:The grammar is clear.
Speaker B:God says I am not.
Speaker B:Was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob?
Speaker B:The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living.
Speaker B:Hearing this exchange, the crowd was much impressed.
Speaker B:Well, my friends, that ends the reading.
Speaker B:I'm glad you're back with me here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker B:And whether you're having a cup of coffee or out on the walk or maybe on a wooded trail, let's spend some time together and just focus on the Scriptures here today.
Speaker B:So right off the bat, the Sadducees show up with what might be possibly the most elaborate theological trap that we find in the entire New Testament.
Speaker B:This question about the seven brothers and one widow, and the question about whose wife shall be in the resurrection.
Speaker B:It's an ancient version of someone walking into an argument armed with a 17 step hypothetical situation.
Speaker B:I think you know the type of people who are really just trying to trap you.
Speaker B:Let's get to the points to ponder that Jesus dealt with here.
Speaker B:The first point is theological humility beats religious certainty.
Speaker B:Jesus doesn't just field the question, he calls the entire frame out.
Speaker B:You're off base on two counts, he says.
Speaker B:You don't know what God said and you don't know how God works.
Speaker B:That's a bold statement, isn't it, directed at the religious scholars of the day.
Speaker B:And here's a progressive takeaway from this scripture.
Speaker B:Our certainty can sometimes become our biggest spiritual obstacle.
Speaker B:When we show up with all the answers already locked in, we close ourselves off from actually encountering God in a fresh way.
Speaker B:I think about this a lot with the other podcast I do, which is focused on helping people impacted by cancer with hope and humor.
Speaker B:And I get to sit with people going through very hard moments in their life, and I could tell you what I've learned over and over again.
Speaker B:People in those moments don't need someone with some sort of airtight theological answer.
Speaker B:They need someone willing to sit in the questions with them.
Speaker B:So a faith that can hold things loosely is often the most honest and the most healing faith of all.
Speaker B:Point to ponder number two, God is present tense.
Speaker B:Here is where Jesus does something really beautiful.
Speaker B:He says, the proof of resurrection isn't something, is some complex philosophical argument.
Speaker B:It's a verb tense.
Speaker B:Did you get that?
Speaker B:God says, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not I was.
Speaker B:It's present, it's active, it's living right now.
Speaker B:So the living God is the God of the living.
Speaker B:I've been married to my wonderful wife for over 34 years, and real love isn't just a past memory or a future promise.
Speaker B:It's what are you doing right now in the daily ordinary?
Speaker B:Sometimes the messy middle of things.
Speaker B:And you know, when I have a good time with my wife or when I'm laughing with my granddaughters, and I mean laughing, because we usually have a lot of good fun together, playing and telling dumb jokes.
Speaker B:That makes me happy.
Speaker B:There's something gloriously alive in that, isn't there, in those moments.
Speaker B:And it feels like that can only point to who God is right now.
Speaker B:So progressive Christianity leans into this.
Speaker B:Our faith isn't just about what happens after we die?
Speaker B:It's about the God who shows up in the middle of your day today.
Speaker B:So here's your action step.
Speaker B:Sometime today, as in the next 24 hours, I want you to pause and ask yourself one question.
Speaker B:Where do I see God right now?
Speaker B:That is the present tense God right now.
Speaker B:Not where did God show up last year or in my childhood or where do I see God going next year or some other point in my life, but right now and write it down, pay attention to it, make a recording of it and say it out loud.
Speaker B:Maybe text it to a friend or make a Facebook post about it.
Speaker B:When we name where God is, we're practicing exactly what Jesus pointed out to the Sadducees in this scripture, recognizing the living God in living moments.
Speaker B:We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker B:I want you to know that we do have a great resource for you called the ABC 123 Bible study method.
Speaker B:We invite you to go to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you can get that free resource.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:God of the Living.
Speaker B:Not just the God of ancient stories or distance promises, but the God of right now.
Speaker B:We come with open hands today.
Speaker B:We confess that we sometimes show up like the Sadducees, armed with our certainties, trying to make you fit neatly into our arguments.
Speaker B:So forgive us making you small.
Speaker B:Remind us today that you are present tense and you are large.
Speaker B:Help us be very present with the person in the waiting room or the person dealing with hard questions or hard diagnoses with the couple building something lasting together year after year.
Speaker B:The grandparents laughing at their grandchildren or with the hiker on the trail.
Speaker B:Help us to do all this in the ordinary and the everyday.
Speaker B:So you are the God who is.
Speaker B:Help us to live in that truth today.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
