The Sadducees were an upper-class group of Jews who only accepted the five books of Moses (the Pentateuch), the first five books of the Holy Bible. They did not believe in the resurrection of the body (see Lk 20:27; Acts 23:8). When they confronted Jesus on their stance, He quoted to the Sadducees two verses from the Pentateuch which showed that the five books of Moses supported the resurrection and eternal life (Lk 20:37; Ex 3:6, 15). Sadly, the Sadducees stubbornly clung to their unbelief. They did not believe Moses, so they did not believe Jesus (Jn 5:47).
What is the root of our beliefs? Do we really believe in what we profess? How do we respond if our belief is not rooted in the truth? Jesus told a parable about the sower and the seed, and four types of soil. The second soil type allowed no root, so the sprouting seed withered at the first sign of trial (Mk 4:17).
Jesus told us to "search the Scriptures" (Jn 5:39). An honest search of the Scriptures builds deep roots, which will not wither in times of trial. Jesus will help us as we search the Scriptures. He will open our "minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45). Jesus said that Moses wrote about Him (Jn 5:46). In fact, the entire Bible is ultimately about Jesus.
Be like the early Christians of Berea. Search and study the Scriptures daily "to see whether these things" about Jesus are true (Acts 17:11). Beg Jesus to interpret for you "every passage of Scripture which [refers] to Him" (Lk 24:27).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, Living Word (Heb 4:12), give me the grace to come to You daily in the Scriptures and have eternal life (Jn 5:40). |
| PROMISE: | "These very works which I [Jesus] perform testify on My behalf that the Father has sent Me." –Jn 5:36 |
| PRAISE: | For decades, until his final illness, Ralph taught a weekly Bible study for mothers in a pregnancy center. |
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