It has been said by many that one thing is certain, well actually two things; death and taxes.  Jesus comes to repute the idea that these are not things that give life eternal.  To those who believe and follow Jesus, only one thing is certain—eternal life.  Above all, God defines Himself, says Jesus, as the God of the living, not the dead.

Those who live without Jesus are dead in their sin as they continue the pursuit all things not God.  The “walking dead” live only for themselves, trying to survive this world of taxes, failed relationships, selfish goals to be most important, denying help from the One who loves them most. They try to figure out life only by what they see it right in front of them without thought to what lies ahead in the heavenly realms.  They don’t know Kingdom of God thinking and wisdom that goes beyond our human understanding.  So, the question to ponder is: Are we bound by earth without the hope of heaven?

Jesus, Son of God, with the wisdom of God, sidesteps the traps set by the religious leaders, and delivers Kingdom of God thinking and behaving which requires higher thinking skills beyond what is in front of them.  The Pharisees try to trap Him with tax evasion.  The Sadducees, who are “sad, you see” because they don’t believe in resurrection of the dead, try to use the Law of Moses to trap the Son of God about marriage relationships.  Both parties have met their match!  God wins.  He always does!

Matthew 22, The Message

Paying Taxes

^15-17 That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

^18-19 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.

²⁰ “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”

²¹ They said, “Caesar.”

“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”

²² The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.

Marriage and Resurrection

^23-28 That same day, Sadducees approached him. This is the party that denies any possibility of resurrection. They asked, “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is obligated to marry his widow and father a child with her. Here’s a case where there were seven brothers. The first brother married and died, leaving no child, and his wife passed to his brother. The second brother also left her childless, then the third—and on and on, all seven. Eventually the wife died. Now here’s our question: At the resurrection, whose wife is she? She was a wife to each of them.”

^29-33 Jesus answered, “You’re off base on two counts: You don’t know what God said, and you don’t know how God works. At the resurrection we’re beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don’t you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, ‘I am—not was—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.’ The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living.” Hearing this exchange the crowd was much impressed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When we ask the Holy Spirit to raise our thinking to His higher place, we understand that everything man has defined does not compare with what God has designed. 

God is working through Jesus to reconcile mankind to God—individually—one relationship at a time.  THIS is how God works.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Believe Jesus—who is the way, truth, and life! 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33

God first.  Be still and get to know God through Jesus.  Begin to learn how God thinks, what pleases Him, and how He works in the lives of His beloved.  Jesus, who was sent to save us, also taught us how to have an intimate relationship with God and each other.

Earthy things are temporary.  God is forever.  This perspective changes everything.  JESUS changes everything!

Lord,

Help us to worry less about paying taxes, broken appliances, appointments canceled, people who misinform and lie to get their way, debating rules, and other earth stuff.  May we center completely on who you are and what you have done to save us and then teach us.  When we get this right, we find we are right with God.  “And the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of your glory and grace.” Thank you, Lord

In Jesus Name, Amen