Matthew 22
"But Jesus answered [the Sadducees], 'You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.'" - Matthew 22:29
The Sadducees test Jesus with a question about a woman who had seven husbands and no children. They want to know who she will be married to in the resurrection. They actually don't believe in the resurrection. They are just trying to make Jesus look foolish. It doesn't work. The Sadducees don't understand how God's kingdom works. They aren't familiar with Scripture, nor with God's power to solve problems or to modify the rules in various phases of existence.
For us to understand how God works, we have to be familiar with both Scripture and his supernatural power operating in our lives. Scripture by itself is not enough. The experience of miraculous power by itself is not enough either. We must be familiar with both. Some churches emphasise Scripture to the detriment of God's experiential power. Other churches emphasise Christian experience and supernatural miracles to the detriment of Scripture. To understand God and his kingdom, we need both to know Scripture and to experience God's power.
Father, I err on the side of Scripture, and I want to experience more of your power in my life. Help me to understand in a deeper way how your kingdom works. May I have both a high view of Scripture and a high view of your power operating in my life and the lives of others around me. I want to better understand your kingdom and live in accordance with it. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman