The Sadducees only accepted the first five books of the Bible, that is, the Pentateuch. They were self-proclaimed experts on the Pentateuch. Looking for a way to get the best of Jesus, they pulled out the passage about the levirate law in Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and built an outlandish scenario to disprove the resurrection. Notice what Jesus does! He disproves their case by breaking open a Scripture passage from the Pentateuch itself (Mk 12:26; Ex 3:6). They had been studying Exodus all their lives, but never noticed the part about "the raising of the dead" (Mk 12:26). How surprised they were to discover that Jesus was the real expert!
What do you think you know more about than Jesus? Do you handle your marriage problems yourself instead of bringing them to Jesus because, after so many years of marriage, you know what works and what won't? Do you just cling to the status quo in your strained relationship with your relatives because you feel you understand the whole situation, while unthinkingly assuming that Jesus doesn't? Do you think you know more about the problems in your parish than He does? If you do, you probably won't bother to bring these situations to Him, because, after all, you've decided He's not the expert. "You are badly misled, because you fail to understand...the power of God" (Mk 12:24).
Repent! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not" (Prv 3:5). Submit your all to Him.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, what do I know? Your thoughts are so far above mine (Is 55:9). I place every aspect of my life in Your hands. |
| PROMISE: | "He is the God of the living, not of the dead. You are very much mistaken." –Mk 12:27 |
| PRAISE: | Joyce prayed about her vocation and God sent the man He made just for her. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College