Sadducees were members of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Jesus Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of oral tradition, emphasizing acceptance of the written Law alone. Isn’t it interesting that there was no room for the HOLY SPIRIT to operate in their lives and that they limited FATHER by only what had been written to that point in history? Their revelation was only a good as the Old Testament. In Matthew chapter 22 the Sadducees challenged Jesus:
23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also.28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”
By the way they posed their question the Sadducees revealed the appearance of being intelligent and possibly with an air of superiority. They are now challenging Jesus, the Living Word of FATHER, and had no idea of this reality because they were deaf to THE SPIRIT of FATHER. Jesus had already performed many miracles as a testimony to the fruitfulness of the Word but it went against the prevailing doctrines of organized religion. Jesus responded to their challenge:
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.
By limiting ourselves only to the written Word and not seeking an intimate relationship with FATHER, we too will be mistaken when going before the Throne of I AM. Those who totally rely on the written Word and fail to understand FATHER’S Divine Intent will fall into error and get off the straight and narrow path. We must not restrict ourselves in such a manner but seek to hear HIS Voice as well as read HIS Word. When we can hear HIM, HE will specifically direct us in our daily activities and navigate us through the individual challenges set before each of us. We will be led by THE SPIRIT.
Jesus revealed that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were not dead but were living and their bodies did not define their current state. Further, Jesus confirmed that FATHER is the GOD of even those who are lawless. How did he do that? Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. In Genesis 32 the angel spoke as directed by FATHER:
28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
The name “Jacob” means "heel holder" or "supplanter" and his nature was to deceive and steal. He misrepresented himself to his aged father and received Esau’s intended blessing of the firstborn. Jacob falsely presented himself as someone else other than who he really was. Nevertheless, Jesus rightly proclaimed FATHER to be the God of Jacob rather than the God of Israel. This is encouraging to us for as we have failed to walk upright, FATHER did not leave us nor forsake us. HE is the God of you and me. Had Jesus replaced the name Jacob with Israel then we might see Jacob as being disqualified in some manner.
Let us not limit FATHER to only HIS Written Word but let us open our ears to the mysteries reserved for this time set before us. Let us not limit ourselves because of our failures for FATHER was not moved by Jacob’s lawlessness but instead was longsuffering and merciful with him as HE is with us today. HE knows HIS Divine Intent for us and so we should seek to align ourselves with our gifts and calling ordained by HIS Divine Intent. It is of paramount importance that we seek to hear HIS Voice in our daily affairs and minimize any hindrance that might prevent us from being fruitful to the Kingdom. Let us function among the living by focusing on today, not yesterday or tomorrow for HE is “I AM” not “I WAS” or “I WILL BE”.