What Jesus Did! 'First Thing First!' — Matthew 22:30

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

 Donate Now
[Jesus continued his reply to the Sadducees about the resurrection:] "For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven."
— Matthew 22:30 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus is emphatic that the Sadducees are wrong about the resurrection because they don't know Scripture and they don't know the power of God. Since they don't believe in the resurrection (Acts 23:7-8) and they want to trap Jesus, they conjure up a hypothetical, ridiculous situation with life in the New Age being a continuation of life in the present world. Relationships in this new world, it would follow from their erroneous reasoning, would simply be an extension of the ones they have in this current life. Wrong!

Jesus is emphatic that when the Kingdom of God comes in all of its fullness, things will be radically different. Life and relationships will not just be elevated; they will be transcendent. The implications of this truth are powerful. First, it means our relationship with God and loyalty to his Kingdom must take first place in our lives. Second, as important as human relationships in marriage and family are to God, they must never be given the ultimate priority. That priority is reserved for only God!

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous Father, everlasting and eternal God, thank you for my family. Thank you for my parents and all they have done for me. Thank you for my siblings and the many joyful experiences we have shared together. Thank you for my spouse and the partnership and love we share. Thank you for my children and how precious they are. But most of all, Father, thank you for Jesus and his sacrifice that brought me into your Kingdom which gives me the anticipation of sharing your love and your life with them forever. May nothing ever displace my loyalty to you or your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 10:37-39
  • Ephesians 5:21-27; 6:1
  • Matthew 19:29-30

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Enriches Life and Brightens Your Future'
"You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright. I praise you, Lord, for being...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'A Foretaste of Future Glory!' (Ro. 8:22-23)
"For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Ephesians 4:15
"Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing of advanced and...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by A. W. Tozer:
"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of..."

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 22:30 NLT — [Jesus continued his reply to the Sadducees about the resurrection:] "For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!