“You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Matthew 22:29
In the first two parts of this series, we saw that the Sadducees erred because they knew neither the scriptures nor the power of God. We discussed that their error was not a lack of readings. Surprisingly enough, their error was not a lack of religious activity either. Far from it.
In Matthew 23, the Lord Jesus testified of the Pharisees and Sadducees: “They pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin” (Matthew 23:23). They fasted twice a week (Luke 18:12). They prayed standing in the synagogues and on street corners (Matthew 6:5). They made long prayers (Matthew 23:14). They traveled land and sea to make one convert (Matthew 23:15). By every outward measure of religious devotion, they were exemplary. They knew the scriptures—at least they could recite them. They performed the rituals. They kept the traditions.
Yet, Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.'” Matthew 22:29. Their error was not that they neglected religious duties. Their error was that their hearts were far from God, their knowledge was superficial, and they denied the very power that gives life to the words they recited.
Relationship with God is essential to understanding the scriptures and experiencing the power of God. Naturally, one might think the Sadducees just need to study the Bible more and perhaps seek to operate in the gift of the Spirit. But it isn’t that. It is abiding and growing in grace.
Unfortunately, many believers fall into these same errors today. The error of mistaking religious performance, spiritual gifts, increasing knowledge, or a good opinion of oneself for proof of growth in relationship with God.
Jesus said. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. Actually, this is similar to John 8:31-32, where Jesus says, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” The new convert from Judaism needed to hear these. They are already good with the reading and debating God, they knew much about God but now encountered him.
Jesus developed this throughout John 15. He illustrated it as the Vine and Branches: in verse 4, he said, “Abide in me, and I in you” ;
v.5 — He that abideth in me bears much fruit
v.7 — If my words abide in you, ask whatever you will
v.10 — If you keep my commandments, you abide in my love.
What “Abiding” Means
Remaining — staying connected, not drifting away
Depending — like a branch draws life from the vine
Obeying — letting his word shape your thinking and decisions
Communing — continual fellowship through prayer and the Word.
The Word of God works, but it works in those who stay with it. There are no shortcuts. There is no substitute. Reading the scripture as a religious exercise, ticking it off a list, leaves us unchanged. But when we linger long enough in His presence, when we sit with Him not to twist His hand or to acquire the next spiritual experience; God faithfully does what only he can do. He changes us. The Sadducees were busy. They were active. They were visibly devoted. But they had never truly hung out with God long enough to be transformed by him. That is the difference between a religion and a relationship; one keeps you busy, and the other makes you new.
It is possible to be busy for God while being distant from God. It is possible to know the words of the scripture while being untouched by the God of scripture. The Sadducees are a mirror, not merely a history lesson. May we not make their error. May we not settle for religion when Jesus is offering relationship. May God’s words not merely pass through our minds, but take up residence in our hearts until what we desire and what he wills become one and the same.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk