Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the wife and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; and so the seven together left no children. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, which one’s wife will she be? For each of the seven had her as his wife.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the fact that the dead rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

What is a subject you know a lot about? How much do you use that knowledge in everyday life? Knowing a lot on a given subject may be helpful for trivia or even in conversation but it does not always help in daily life. When given the chance to talk to Jesus the Sadducees constructed a “What if” scenario to challenge Jesus with. Like random trivia knowledge, the information they gathered from this answer would have little effect on their lives.

Jesus is after more than just head knowledge, He is after the heart. He responded, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God?” The Sadducees completely missed the point of God’s Word. The Word of God and the Living Word, Jesus, exist to show us who God is and transform our lives.

We are often like the Sadducees, looking for information about God instead of seeking to be changed by who He is. Jesus reminded them there was more to life with God than the box they tried to put Him in. We can know many things about God without knowing Him. May we draw near to Him with hearts of faith, seeking to be shaped by Him every day.

• What is the difference between knowing about someone and knowing that person? What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing Him?
• What does it look like to simply pursue more information about your faith? What does it look like to truly grow in your faith? Which are you prioritizing now?
• Pray and ask God to help you grow your knowledge of and love for Him.