Matthew 22:34-35:
The Pharisees learned that Jesus told the Sadducees things they could not argue with. So the Pharisees met together. One Pharisee was an expert in the law {of Moses}. That Pharisee asked Jesus a question to test him. (ERV)
Key Thought
We have a real sense of rivalry and pride playing into this situation. The Pharisees could gloat a moment at the Sadducees inability to trip up Jesus. "But we're better than they are. We study harder and follow God's Law more closely than the Sadducees. We'll trip him up for sure!"
But when truth is not the goal, when pride, comfort, and recognition become tantamount to life, then motives get jumbled and truth ends up getting forgotten. Those who seek the truth lose it when their goal is simply defeating someone else rather than searching for the truth.
But when truth is not the goal, when pride, comfort, and recognition become tantamount to life, then motives get jumbled and truth ends up getting forgotten. Those who seek the truth lose it when their goal is simply defeating someone else rather than searching for the truth.
Today's Prayer
Holy God, help me not become so blinded by someone I view as an opponent or antagonist that I forget my search for your truth. Please help me grow more determined to find and celebrate your truth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
The Pharisees learned that Jesus told the Sadducees things they could not argue with. So the Pharisees met together. One Pharisee was an expert in the law {of Moses}. That Pharisee asked Jesus a question to test him. The Pharisee said, "Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?" Jesus answered, "'You must love the Lord your God. You must love him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.' All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands." So while the Pharisees were together, Jesus asked them a question. Jesus said, "What do you think about the Christ ? Whose son is he?" The Pharisees answered, "The Christ is the Son of David. " Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Then why did David call him 'Lord'? David was speaking by the power of the {Holy} Spirit. David said, 'The Lord (God) said to my Lord (Christ): Sit by me at my right side, and I will put your enemies under your control. ' David calls the Christ 'Lord.' So how can he be David's son?" None of the Pharisees could answer Jesus' question. And after that day no person was brave enough to ask Jesus any more questions {to try to trick him}.
— Matthew 22:34-46 (ERV)
Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Wat Jezus Deed: Wanneer waarheid niet het doel is & Belangrijkste dingen eerst