In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Mark 12:23-25
Got questions? Asking questions is good for finding information and gaining understanding. Questions keep us open to learning and informed. It’s a great attitude and posture to keep. When Jesus came to Jerusalem, however, his enemies used the Rabbinic tradition of asking questions against him. It was a meeting of the minds with intent to trap Jesus into saying something they could use to accuse him. This wasn’t the first trap, or the last, they kept attacking to see whose political or religious group he chose to side with.
The interesting thing about this questioning was the Sadducees who didn’t believe in resurrection were asking Jesus about resurrection. “Is there marriage at the resurrection?” Jesus answers their theological attack with the truth about life, the Scriptures and God. The Sadducees also chose to believe only in the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the Bible) and not the oral tradition. Jesus gave them their answer from the Pentateuch! The way Jesus answered them stretched their minds and brought them to new information and understanding whether they chose to accept it or reject it.
When we ask questions, so often we are wondering “who’s got it right and wrong”. Jesus shows us another way. We often think there are only two sides, one right way, when Jesus wants to show us a third way: his Father God, the Kingdom and his power. Jesus, like he so often does, quotes from Scripture and points those listening to the God of the living. Do we have open ears, an open mind, to hear what the Lord God of the universe has to say to us? Do we make a priority to know him, increase our Biblical knowledge, deepen our spiritual understanding and grow our theology? As you seek to know and follow God sincerely, you’ll grow your faith, love, worship and obedience. Find a Bible class, a mentor, a study where you can bring your questions.
By Donna Burns
