PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 12:18-27
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are badly mistaken!” (Mark 12:27)
I have to admit, this story of Jesus has always confused me.
Isn’t marriage a part of God’s original creation design?
And does Jesus mean that we will become angels, no longer human?
But neither of these are Jesus’s main points; his main point is in the last verse.
The Sadducees were limiting what God could do based on their flawed thinking.
They were deciding truth based on what they saw and knew in this cursed life.
We need to be very careful with our ‘logical’ speculations and interpretations.
What Jesus says here about marriage angels may not fit with my theology.
But then my theology, not what Jesus says, is the problem.
God is greater than our systematic theologies, no matter how ‘bible-based’ they are.
Too often we speak with a certainty about our beliefs that humility cannot support.
I am NOT convinced that my reformed theology is all right.
I hold my beliefs loosely, unaware of how or where I may be “badly mistaken”.
My confidence is in Jesus, not in my beliefs; I am saved by grace, not orthodoxy.
PRAYER
Lord, I imagine I am badly mistaken about a lot of things. Thank You that my hope does not lie in our getting things right, but in You making me right!
“Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?”
Lord help me not be wrong because I have not taken the time to know scripture or because I try to box in your power into the limits of my understanding. Thank you for saving us from the legalism of scripture! Thank you for giving us wisdom through your teachings, rather than the simple knowledge of the law.
I feel like I am in a rock and a hard place in moments of discussion with others (new believers and seasoned Christians) about theological topics. I find myself becoming defensive against points and perspectives that are different than my theological understanding. I have to catch myself and hold my tongue before going off on a tangent about how they could be viewing things incorrectly. Yet, I am reminded that at the end of the day it is not who is theologically correct but it is about who we are serving, God. I realize that I need to be more humble in my approach. The more I study theology and doctrine, the more I tend to judge others understanding of God. However, I seem to have it backwards, theology should not make you all the more correct, but all the more humble. What a blow it is to my pride when I come to realize that I too (like the Sadducees), may be mistaken in what I believe is true and correct.
What a simple yet profound prayer this is: Lord, I imagine I am badly mistaken about a lot of things. Thank You that my hope does not lie in our getting things right, but in You making me right!
Lord help my focus not to be about being right or getting things right, but be about allowing you to shape me, teach me and humble me, as You are the Potter and I am the clay.
“Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God”. There are many who say there is no God and believe the scriptures to simply be myths and tall tales – that Jesus was a historical figure but nothing else. Seeing with eyes of faith leads me to believe and trust that Jesus is much than that: son of God/son of man – and that he is the only way to the Father. It begins with faith and is strengthened by the work of the HS. I may have moments but I know Jesus carries me then too! I believe – help me overcome moments of doubt!
Once again those who did not believe in the resurrection questioned Jesus with their limited vision – the downward look with their earthly eyes. Yet we need to have the upward look – Jesus needs to remove our limited vision to see what can not be seen. To live for Jesus forevermore is the promise and that is beyond my thinking and vision. Yet I believe in His promise and the power of His Spirit and need to look at what is not seen.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy