February 3-February 9

KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES
Damon Ijames
St. Louis, Missouri


In Chapter 22 Jesus is questioned about marriage at the resurrection by a group that does not even believe there will be a resurrection. Perhaps their goal was to undermine the validity of the resurrection by presenting a situation which seemed to have no answer. Jesus gives two reasons for their error. The first being they did not know the scriptures.

Certainly there are many good books available for study. Books that can challenge us, instruct us, motivate us, and provide practical application for Biblical principles. However, we can find ourselves continually reading books ‘about’ the Bible, while failing to read ‘the Bible.’ I recall the story of two preachers on their way to conduct a funeral. The younger one expressed a concern for being able to say the right words in this situation. The older one reminded him that in times like this, people don’t want to hear our words, they want to hear God’s words. There is still no substitute for the Scriptures. They are still as Peter said in John 6:68 “the words of eternal life.”

The second reason was they did not know the power of God. Sometimes we hear the question “How can I be happy in heaven, if the people I love here on earth aren’t with me?” While we all may have questions about the after life existence, we need never question the power of God to do what He says. When He says there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Rev. 21:4) we can be sure he has the power to make it happen.

Chapter 23 has statements from Jesus that are hard for us to take, primarily because he seems so harsh and critical in his denunciation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. As you read these words, you might find yourself wondering how these people could warrant such criticism. Weren’t these the religious leaders? Weren’t these the “church going” type? Didn’t they see themselves as the “good people”? In Chapter 22 Jesus talked about those not knowing the Scriptures. Here is a group that was probably very knowledgeable of the Scriptures, and yet apparently had completely missed the point of what those Scriptures were teaching. Then comes the sobering thought that if these religious, ‘church going’ people could have been so far off from what they thought they were, is there any chance that we have the same misconception about ourselves as God’s people. Perhaps verse 11 is a vital thought, how important it is to have the heart of a servant.

Chapters 24 and 25 have been subject to a number of interpretations. Is Jesus talking about his return, the second coming when the entire created order is changed? Is he talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? Is he talking about both these events? Regardless of what one thinks is being discussed here, the concept of preparation seems to be a recurring theme. The foolish virgins were not prepared when the bridegroom came (25:1-13). The one talent man, by failing to utilize his talent, was not prepared for the return of the master. (14-28). The unrighteous, by failing to minister to the needs of their brothers, were not prepared for the day of judgment. Jesus states in 24:44 “So you also must be ready”. Whether it be the day of the Lord's Coming or the day of our own personal death, we do not know when that day will come. Jesus still instructs us to be ready.


[Damon Ijames is a 1981 graduate of Harding University. He is currently employed by A. G. Edwards in St. Louis, Missouri. He has taught Bible classes in both the St. Louis and Oklahoma City areas.]