As we read Matthew 22:34-36, we see the Pharisees working on an approach to trick Jesus with the letter of the law. Mark 12:18-23 also shows us an example from the Sadducees working up a way to give the impossible question that would fit the rule book. The Sadducees and the Pharisees were self-appointed keepers of Judaism, and their response to Jesus, despite prophecy fulfillment, was fear. Their small worlds were deeply important to them as they protected themselves with rules: the “letter of the law.”
Dogma. Rules. And often missing the point.
Jesus’ response to the first situation, the Pharisees, was centered on the focus of love. Love God first. Love others as much as you love yourself. Does anybody remember the rule the Pharisees tried to trip Jesus up with? How many people in this world know Jesus’ response though? Mindset not only lasts; it transforms.
Jesus’ response to the second situation, the Sadducees, was centered on holding them accountable for twisting the situation. Putting it into perspective, Jesus went back to the big picture. It wasn’t about whose wife belonged to who. At the resurrection, who cares! Those are earthly issues that are not even relevant after the resurrection. How many times do we get hung up on a detail that isn’t even relevant?
As we enter this first week, we will examine how we get caught up in the rules. The expectations. The details that were built by managers and eras no longer relevant to the current needs. Let’s look to the Bible for our example of the value for staying focused on the vision and not getting lost in minutiae.
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