Critical Questions

Critical Questions Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Sadducees questioning Jesus; Understanding; Hypocrisy; Messiah; Resurrection / Luke 20:20-47 Introduction - Critical It is completely normal and natural to have questions and to seek answers for your questions, especially when embarking on a new path, direction, or discipline. Perhaps starting in crossfitness you realize you dont know everything. The only way to gain the understanding is by asking critical questions. Critical is defined as many things and one definition is having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something. Critical questions are needed to gain the knowledge, skill or know how - especially to achieve something like crossfitness. When I want to understand something I begin by asking the critical questions surrounding whatever it is I want to know - sometimes I get into trouble because of the questioning though, and that is because critical can also be defined as - expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments. My experience with this relates to when I did martial arts and taught - when you teach something like martial arts - you have two types of students - those who listen and desire to learn and when they struggle they ask critical questions to gain insight and clarity - and you have those who want to learn, they start listening but when they struggle they ask critical questions for the purpose not of learning but of trying to discredit you as a coach or teacher. Sometimes the question may point out a flaw in the way you do it. Reminds me of a story I read. D.L. Moody was once criticized for his methods of reaching people with the Gospel. His reply was 'I agree with you, I don't like the way I do it either. Tell me how do you do it?' The one who criticized replied 'I don't do it.' To which Moody responded 'I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.' Both types are asking critical questions - but there is one "critical" difference - found in the motive for asking. This morning we are going to look at some critical questions Jesus is involved with. We will find the same two types of critical questions - those designed to be critical, judgmental and disapproving and one that is designed to bring clarity and understanding so that ones eyes may be opened. May we evaluate the questions we ask and the questions we have asked of us - are they critical? In which way? Luke 20:20-21 CSB 20 They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor's rule and authority. 21 They questioned him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. Luke 20:22-25 CSB 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 But detecting their craftiness, he said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" "Caesar's," they said. 25 "Well then," he told them, "give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:26-27 CSB 26 They were not able to catch him in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent. 27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned him: Luke 20:28-31 CSB 28 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother has a wife, and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. 30 Also the second 31 and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children. Luke 20:32-35 CSB 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her." 34 Jesus told them, "The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. Luke 20:36-38 CSB 36 For they can no longer die, because they are like angels and are children of God, since they are children of the resurrection. 37 Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 He is not the God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to him." Luke 20:39-44 CSB 39 Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." 40 And they no longer dared to ask him anything. 41 Then he said to them, "How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms: The Lord declared to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.' 44 David calls him 'Lord.' How, then, can the Messiah be his son?" Luke 20:45-47 CSB 45 While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment." Questions to Divide Luke 20:20-21 CSB 20 They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor's rule and authority. 21 They questioned him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. Luke 20:22-24 CSB 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 But detecting their craftiness, he said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" "Caesar's," they said. Luke 20:25-26 CSB 25 "Well then," he told them, "give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 26 They were not able to catch him in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent. The scribes and the chief priests watched closely - which in the original language brings the idea that they watched on the side, insidiously with evil intent. Verse 19 told us they feared the people and so they are waiting and watching for their chance of course usually when you lie in wait you get impatient quickly and so did they. The next part of their plot was to send in spies consisting of their own disciples (Sadducees and Pharisees) and Herodians. Matthew 22:16 CSB 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You don't care what anyone thinks nor do you show partiality. Who came and pretending to be righteous feigned having a difficulty of conscience and wanted to question Jesus in order to clear it up. Truthfully they desired to catch Jesus in what He said and hopefully hand Him over to the governor's rule and authority. Of course if they could turn people away from Jesus and ruin His support that would be good too. So they posed a critical question - specifically designed to divide support by trapping and pinning Jesus between God and Caesar (or government). They couldnt come out and just ask the question though so they wrapped in a nice covering of flattery. Proverbs 26:24-26 CSB 24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within. 25 When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. 26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:27-28 CSB 27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone- it will come back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. Proverbs 29:5 CSB 5 A person who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. We know you speak and teach correctly, and we know you dont show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. Psalm 5:9 CSB 9 For there is nothing reliable in what they say; destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues. Psalm 12:2-4 CSB 2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully. 4 They say, "Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own-who can be our master?" Then they finally ask the question - is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not? This question designed to make Jesus choose one side or the other. To pick one pits Him against the Jews and to choose the other pits Him against the Roman government possibly branded as a revolutionary with the penalty of death. Jesus is not fooled by their question - they have zero desire to know one way or the other - they are asking a critical question to divide Jesus's support and best and at worst to trap Him in something He could be condemned for. Jesus detecting their craftiness however asks for a denarius. They quickly produce one and Jesus then asks them a question - Whose image and inscription does it have? They respond - quickly Caesar's - hoping to get Jesus to provide an answer something they can use. Jesus well then - Give to Caesar the things that are his and to God the things that are God's (that which bears His image) - in other words you choose what is Caesar's and give it to him and what things are God's and give that to Him. It didnt get them the result they wanted - they realized they were not able to catch Him in fact His answer was so amazing it silenced them. Questions to Ridicule Luke 20:27-29 CSB 27 Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned him: 28 "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother has a wife, and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. Luke 20:30-34 CSB 30 Also the second 31 and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her." 34 Jesus told them, "The children of this age marry and are given in marriage. Luke 20:35-36 CSB 35 But those who are counted worthy to take part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they can no longer die, because they are like angels and are children of God, since they are children of the resurrection. Luke 20:37-40 CSB 37 Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 He is not the God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to him." 39 Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." 40 And they no longer dared to ask him anything. Now some Sadducees come forward with a question of their own. In order to ask the question they too must lay the ground work - not through flattery but through absurdity by concocting a situation they have taken to its extreme logical end. This is based in a deeply held theological belief of the Sadducees - that only the books of Moses are canon, there is no such thing as demons or angels, and most importantly there is no afterlife - heaven or hell and certainly no resurrection. Now this is why they were "so-sad-you-see" - they claim Moses never wrote about any of these doctrines. Also important to note that the priestly party of Israel was made up of mostly Sadducees. They said "Teacher Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother has a wife and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother. Deuteronomy 25:5 CSB 5 "When brothers live on the same property and one of them dies without a son, the wife of the dead man may not marry a stranger outside the family. Her brother-in-law is to take her as his wife, have sexual relations with her, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law for her. Deuteronomy 25:6-7 CSB 6 The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so his name will not be blotted out from Israel. 7 But if the man doesn't want to marry his sister-in-law, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, 'My brother-in-law refuses to preserve his brother's name in Israel. He isn't willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.' Deuteronomy 25:8-10 CSB 8 The elders of his city will summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, 'I don't want to marry her,' 9 then his sister-in-law will go up to him in the sight of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. Then she will declare, 'This is what is done to a man who will not build up his brother's house.' 10 And his family name in Israel will be 'The house of the man whose sandal was removed.' This command was given to preserve the family line, and the inheritance. Now the Sadducees continued on there were seven brothers total. The first took a wife and died without children. Also the second and the third took her, and one by one in the same way all seven died and left no children. (First off being the next brother in line at 6 or 7 I might be wondering what the heck is going on?) Finally the woman died too. Finally the Sadducees come to pose their question. Their question wasnt critical to understanding resurrection but was critical of the resurrection. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will she be? All seven had married her. It was designed to ridicule the incredulous idea of resurrection using marriage and the law to show preposterous the idea is and how confusing it would be. Jesus gives an answer that doesnt address their situation but instead hits their belief and understanding of resurrection. Jesus informs them that the children of this age marry and are given in marriage. Those counted worthy (not earning but worthy through faith in God and ultimately in Jesus) will take part in the next age and in the resurrection from the dead, and they will neither marry nor are given in marriage. For they can no longer die (procreation is no longer needed) - they are eternal and are like the angels and are children of God. Marriage vows are until death do we part - They mistakenly believed that what governs this age and that age would be the same. Eternity is not this life lived forever, but life lived on a completely different principle in a different plane and dimension that we cannot currently fathom. We recognize things and people in heaven but it doesnt mean that they are the same. David Guzik - "We know it won't be the same as what we know on earth, but we cannot say for sure what it will be like in heaven - other than to know we wont be disappointed." Jesus then tells them why their belief is off and it pertains to another closely held belief - that Moses never taught it, but Jesus takes them to scripture - even to where Moses himself indicates there is eternal life and resurrection. Essentially saying you missed the truth of the resurrection when Moses himself (the same guy they used to invoke the absurdity of resurrection) indicated its reality at the burning bush. Exodus 3:6 CSB 6 Then he continued, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. • The dead are raised - Moses writes that God says I AM the God of - not I was the God of • He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living because all are living to or with Him Now if the Sadducees would stop to think critically here - God is not the God of the dead - Abraham Isaac and Jacob are all dead - so the only way for this to be true is if there is a resurrection. The character of God as the God of the living requires there to be resurrection. The response is some have said Jesus has spoken well (perhaps Pharisees who finally had a good argument and answer for the Sadducees) They dared not ask Him anything else - their critical questions didnt accomplish what they wanted - their courage left them. Questions for Clarity Luke 20:41-44 CSB 41 Then he said to them, "How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms: The Lord declared to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.' 44 David calls him 'Lord.' How, then, can the Messiah be his son?" Jesus turns the tables though and has a critical question of His own. Jesus doesn't ask with impure motives or as a way to trip up or catch or to use for ridicule. Jesus question is critical because it is crucial to their understanding. Jesus ask a question trying to help them to see clearly by getting to the heart of the matter. The most important critical question you can ask - do you know who Jesus is? It is this question that Jesus wants them to ask themselves and hopefully answer correctly. How can they say that the Messiah is the son of David, based on what David himself says in the book of Psalms. The Lord declared to my Lord Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. David calls him Lord - how then can the Messiah be his son? Jesus quotes from Psalm 110:1 - a Messianic Psalm attributed to David and accepted by Jesus as being authored by David - no controversy about it. Psalm 110:1 CSB 1 This is the declaration of the LORD to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." All caps LORD = YHWH and the other Lord = Adonai "The LORD[YHWH] said to my [David's] Lord [Messiah]." This is how they would read that. David calls Him Lord how then can He be his son? Jesus presses the problem for an explanation - the deity and the humanity of the Messiah set forth in the Psalm. The very problems that disturbed the leaders then, disturb and upset many today about Jesus' identity. Jesus' question asked them to test their notion and see that they did not know everything about the Messiah and might have something to learn. The only explanation is that Messiah must be both God and man. Revelation 22:16 CSB 16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star." Motive Determines the Questions Luke 20:45-47 CSB 45 While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment." In order to understand what sense the questions are critical - to criticize, judge or they are crucial for understanding - is determined by the motive of the ones asking the questions. Jesus says beware the scribes - why because they arent trying to protect the people or to discover truth and maintain doctrinal purity. They simply are trying to keep their way of life. • They love the robes - they can be identifiable in a crowd • They love the greetings that being identifiable in a crowd brings • They especially love the perks (status and privilege) for being identifiable - they get the best seats in the synagogue and the place of honor at banquets They had no qualms about taking and devouring widows houses wickedness covered up by their long pretentious prayers. Jesus says beware of them and dont desire to be like them they will not escape the judgment in fact their judgment will be harsher. James 3:1 CSB 1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. Hypocrisy is always judged severely Morgan rightly said that when a man is away from his wife, and the journey is short the letters are short - but the farther he is from his wife, the longer the letters become. Morgan said that some people must be a long way from God because their prayers are so long! Conclusion What is the motive in your questioning? Is it with insincerity? Looking for an answer that lets you continue to do what you want? Perhaps asking what is lawful - only because you want to know how far you can go and how close to the edge and how much you can get away with? Is it with the idea to ridicule because of beliefs held in misunderstanding? Conflating the earthly with the eternal, the holy with the profane? The scribes represent a complete contrast to the picture of how a disciple should live - as a servant as a child as one carrying a cross. Jesus wants us to beware and be cautious and notice what they do, what they say, what they ask and especially notice their motives and their destiny! The scribes were experts - experts a projecting a religious outward appearance but that isnt enough to appear religious before men - You have to seek and ask the critical question are you a servant of Jesus Christ desiring crossfitness or are you like these scribes? Live righteously - not religously Jesus asks questions not to condemn, but so that we might see clearly. • We bear Gods image - we must we give to Him then? • We have the promise of the resurrection - what are you living for? • Jesus is God and He is Messiah • David recognized his Lord - do you? • Our salvation and resurrection are dependent upon what we think of Jesus as Christ Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:36 PM April 9, 2021.