Matthew 22:23-33 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,… The argument Christ uses so convincingly is really this, and it is very simple: God said, "I am the God of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" — not i was, but I am — meaning, that these had been dear to Him, and still were. Now, if these were God's children, and God loved them, why should they die? All "live unto Him," says Christ — as He pleases, and as long as He pleases. If he speaks of your fathers as caring for their life, why should you think them dead? They lived from Him, and they lived for Him, and therefore they live still. If they lived from Him, and no power could take their life away without His permission; if they lived for Him in such a sense that they were endeared to Him — why should the)" die? Would we let any one dear to us die, if we had an absolute control over life, as God has? Leave the thought of persons, and take the baser case of money. If a man keeps his money upon his table, and has a sufficient watch over his house, why do we feel sure that the bags of money are safe? Because we know that, being in his power, he not only is not likely to throw them out of the window — he loves them too well for that — but that, having power also to keep them from the thief, his love answers for their security. If he could not keep them, it is likely enough that they would be lost, for there are other people that desire to have them. The fact of his having them would be no obstacle to their having them, if only they could lay hands on them. But if, in the ease of money, where a man has power to keep it, he certainly will, what shall we say of the soul — the soul on which God has bestowed His Fatherly care? If no one — no devouring lion — can pluck Abraham out of God's hand, will God throw him away and say He cares for him no longer? If no one could destroy the lives of these fathers but God, was He likely to do it? (T. T. Lynch.) Parallel Verses KJV: The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,WEB: On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, |
    |