February 25, 2012
The Sadducees were a group of people among the Jews who did not believe in the supernatural. They denied the existence of angels or miracles, and they did not believe in the resurrection. They were logical thinkers, things had to make logical sense. They were strong believers in the Sanhedrin (kind of like the Supreme Court—a group of members who met and decided who/what was right or wrong). They liked rules and procedures. You do this... this... and this. Everything fits in a nice little box. Everything was already in place, very logical, and all very self controlled. You first go to the Priests; and the final authority is the Sanhedrin.
Who needs some guy named Jesus showing up to tell them they need to change their ways? They had their systems in place, there was no need to rock the boat. There is no such thing as angels, miracles, or resurrection, or so they thought. And John calls them "vipers." He says to them, you "act" religious, but that isn't what God wants. He wants you to "do the things that show you really have changed your heart and lives."
Be genuine! Knowing scripture is not enough. Being "religious" is not enough. Formality is not enough. You must change your hearts and lives. And you must do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives.
You must do! There is no such thing as a secret follower. Your actions and words must match. You can't just "talk the talk" you must also "walk the walk."
Next Entry: Matthew 3:1–17 (Continued)
The Sadducees were a group of people among the Jews who did not believe in the supernatural. They denied the existence of angels or miracles, and they did not believe in the resurrection. They were logical thinkers, things had to make logical sense. They were strong believers in the Sanhedrin (kind of like the Supreme Court—a group of members who met and decided who/what was right or wrong). They liked rules and procedures. You do this... this... and this. Everything fits in a nice little box. Everything was already in place, very logical, and all very self controlled. You first go to the Priests; and the final authority is the Sanhedrin.
Who needs some guy named Jesus showing up to tell them they need to change their ways? They had their systems in place, there was no need to rock the boat. There is no such thing as angels, miracles, or resurrection, or so they thought. And John calls them "vipers." He says to them, you "act" religious, but that isn't what God wants. He wants you to "do the things that show you really have changed your heart and lives."
Be genuine! Knowing scripture is not enough. Being "religious" is not enough. Formality is not enough. You must change your hearts and lives. And you must do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives.
You must do! There is no such thing as a secret follower. Your actions and words must match. You can't just "talk the talk" you must also "walk the walk."
Next Entry: Matthew 3:1–17 (Continued)
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