ニューイングランドの母校からアドヴェントメッセージの便り　その11

2015 Gordon-Conwell Advent Devotional
Day 12
Matthew 22:23-33
The Sadducees believed that people choose to do whatever they wish without God’s concern or direction, that there is no future judgment, and that there is no life after death (Josephus, Ant. 18.16; Wars 2.164f). No wonder Jesus replies, ‘…you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God!’
Also, the Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch–the first five books of the Old Testament–as Scripture. If Jesus was to demonstrate God’s power to give life after death from the Scriptures, He would have to do so from the Pentateuch on this occasion.

So, Jesus replies with reference to Ex. 3.6, 15f: God’s name is “The LORD, the God of your fathers–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The patriarchs had already died, but God identifies Himself as their God. Surely, argues Jesus, He would not bear the name of the dead! There must, therefore, be hope of a future resurrection.
In Exodus 3, moreover, God announces to Moses His plan of salvation from Egypt for His people. The God of the living is also the God who is active in our lives and is powerful to save.

The Sadducees knew nothing of this. But Advent is a time for reflecting on the Scriptures and seeing that God is indeed powerfully present. He is mighty to save. It is a season for remembering that He who bears the name of resurrection power is the one who saved Israel in the past, who sent Jesus as Savior into the world, and who gives us hope through His resurrection power. Wait confidently for the salvation of our God.