“Last of all, the woman died.  In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her in marriage” (Matthew 22:27-28).

People use the law as if has the final answer.  We know that the Holy Spirit told St. Paul that the law was weak.  The law condemns; we all are sinners and therefore guilty.  The reality of eternity is not what the law does, but what the Lord has done in fulfilling the law.  The law reflects the heart of the Lord.  Jesus is the Lord Who calls us to Himself.  Yes, the law reflects the goodness of God, but our Lord is the Way and Truth of salvation.

Lord, You have shown Your light into this world.  You are not distant and far off, but know the number of hairs on our head.  Guide me so that I learn from You and live the life You have given me to live.  Lead me out of the mire of lies that surround me in order that I may celebrate in the freedom You have given me by grace.  Help me to see more clearly each day the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You have told me that what is to come is not just a continuation of what we have experienced here.  Guide me in the call You have given me, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Lead me to see through the clouds of this age to in live the hope You give me.  Because You live, I shall live.  My life is in You alone, for You are the One who created me.  Help me to live into the life You have in store for me.  Amen.

“Now there were seven brothers among us; and the first married and died, and having no children, he left his wife to his brother.  It was the same also with the second brother, and the third, down to the seventh” (Matthew 22:25-26).

How tricky can we make the puzzle Lord so that we may trap You?  Is this not the way the world works?  Create intricate situations and then put the Lord on the spot?  We do this to one another also.  The fabrication of lies in this age leads us to wonder what we are to believe.  In the beginning, the Lord created all things.  He has come and walked among us offering redemption.  Whom will you believe?

Lord, I have been polluted by the double speech of this world.  This world is filled with hatred.  Lead me out of hatred and into Your love.  Whatever happens will happen and You know the outcome of all that will happen.  Teach me to look to You, the One who created all things, and know that the words You have given me are truth.  Help me so that I am not tricked by this world’s confusion.

Be the One who guides me, Lord Jesus, in every circumstance.  Lead me so that I see more clearly each day the promises You have spoken.  No matter what the world says, help me to trust You above all things.  You are the Resurrection and the Light of Life, and in You is all hope.  Because You live, I too shall live.  Help me to live these words of life and believe them as most certainly true.  Amen.

“On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother’” (Matthew 22:23-24).

The created come to the Creator and, from their unbelief, ask a question about that which they do not believe. This is the way of the world. People think they are smart when they are thinking foolishly. The Lord of all creation has told us that we will be where He is. He has risen from the dead and we shall too. It is not if, but when. This faith is about eternity which begins here and now.

Lord, I am sometimes like the Sadducees and from my doubts and fears say things that are foolish. Lead me so that I may look to You, listen and hear what You are saying. I may not understand all these things, but You are giving me what I need. Help me to walk the path You have set before me and learn wisdom as You grow in me the kind of person You are making me to be.

Lord Jesus, You have told me that I will be raised on the last day. You have told me that You are preparing a place for me. Help me to trust You above all things. Help me to not lean on my own understanding but walk in the way You have taught me. Guide me so that I do not question You and, instead, listen to the answers You give me. With the Father and the Holy Spirit You reign, One God now and forever. Amen.

“And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”  They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”  And hearing this, they were amazed; and they left Him and went away” (Matthew 22:20-21).

The traps of men will always fold before the Lord.  We have our systems in this world and the Lord lets them be.  We are in two kingdoms.  For now, we are in this world, but we have also been redeemed in order to prepare for the world to come.  The way of the Lord is love, but the way of rebellion is hatred.  Which way will you go?  It is one way or another, there can be no compromise.

I need Your help, Lord.  I am not wise enough.  You are.  I need Your wisdom to avoid the stumbling blocks that are laid before me daily.  Guide me in the mire of this world’s constant confusion to look to You and hold fast to the word You have spoken.  Lead me so that I walk forward and upward, abiding in Your grace.  Through all that comes, help me learn how to live and speak Your word of truth in all circumstances.

Jesus, You have taught me that if I hold the ground of truth and do not flinch, the liar will flee.  Lord, I do not ask to be clever, but to have the fortitude to hold the ground You have placed me on.  Teach me to react not with hatred as this world does but live in love.  Lead me today in Your love so that I walk according to the word You have already spoken.  Let the words of my mouth be pleasing in the Father’s sight today.  Amen.

“Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?”  But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius” (Matthew 22:17-19).

Smooth language: “What do You think, Jesus?”  The Lord does not fall for the traps of men.  We do.  Be wary of the smooth talk that has led us far away from what the Lord has said.  You know the commandments.  How many violate them freely every day?  You are not your own but were purchased for a price.  You were in bondage, but through faith You have been set free.  Do not fall for snares that will bind you again.

Lord, You know all things and You know those who seek to snare those whom You have redeemed.  Grant wisdom that Your faithful ones would not fall for the traps laid in this world.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life You have set me free to live.  Lead me so that I see these things for what they are, and do not live as though Your word could ever be compromised.

Lord Jesus, You have given us the example of how to deal with those who seek to lead others astray.  Guide me now and always so that I do not fall back into the pit of bondage.  In Your mercy, help me to understand, and above all, help me to always look to You.  You are the One who has redeemed me.  Guide me to live as one You have saved that I may walk in the way You have set before me.  Amen.  

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said.  And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone” (Matthew 22:13-14).

Buttering Jesus up with flowery, but truly sarcastic words, the trap is laid.  How often do we fall for this kind of reasoning?  Jesus does speak truth and He cares only what the Father thinks.  We sometimes fall for such traps.  Jesus spoke only truth.  Speak the truth.  Do not overly care what others think, not in the sense of being uncaring, but in the way that does not compromise what you know to be true.

Lord, this world is filled with traps.  There are many who want something and they will say things, seeking to get me on their side.  I need Your help to not be on anyone’s side, but to speak and live the truth You have already spoken.  Indeed, help me to be impartial to all but one thing and that is the truth of the word which You have spoken from the beginning.  Teach me how to always be truthful and stand fast against the antics of those who live in the way of this world.

Holy Spirit, fill me with understanding so that I may be guided by Your wisdom.  Help me to live according to the word of truth which has been given once for all by Your revelation.  Holy God, You are the source of all things.  Help me to live in this unchangeable truth now and forever.  Guide me in the goodness You have spoken so that I may live according to Your word.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, into the life You are calling me to live.  Amen.

“Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’  For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:13-14).

Many are called, but few are chosen.  The Lord makes the final decision.  The one who is righteous and just determines who will be with Him.  You have been called.  Will you put on Christ?  Many say they are Christian, but that is something put on by themselves.  Few, it seems, are they who actually live into the life for which they have been invited.  Do not just think of others but answer the question for yourself.  Are you in Christ?  Are you living the Christ life?

Lord, You know the state of my heart.  You know where I am.  Guide me out of this world’s thinking to become honest with myself and others.  Lead me away from the arrogance of this age to be in You and You in me.  Guide me away from selfish gain in my mind, but to truthful reflection of the call You have given me to abide in You all the days of my life.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of salvation.

Lord, I sometimes think that few are going to make it.  Being with You now and always is my prayer.  Help me to humbly submit to You today and do what You give me to do.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk in the way You know I need to go.  Aid me to put You on and abide in You always.  Whether I make it or not is Your business.  Lead me to walk faithfully, living as one preparing for eternity.  Amen.

“But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless” (Matthew 22:11-12).

One cannot be with the Lord who is not covered by the blood of Jesus.  Many are the ways that lead to destruction.  There are those who will say, “Lord, lord,” but do not know Him.  We are invited into a living relationship with the Lord.  There is no faking it.  Either you will come by the Lord’s grace, or else you will reject His grace and remain outside.  None are left out, but there are those who refuse the invitation to come in.

Lord, You have offered me salvation by grace through faith.  It is You giving Your life so that I can live.  I do not understand fully, but I am puzzled by those who are always taking and, if possible, would take salvation as if it were theirs.  Lead me away from such foolishness so that I see the gift You have given me on Your terms.  Lead me to be clear of mind, thought, and speech.

Lord Jesus, You know the state of my heart.  The wickedness of this world presses in and yells at me because I am preparing to be with You.  I am often confused by the ever-changing, yet never-changing, winds of this age.  Help me I pray, to look through the fog of this age to clearly see how to be in Your presence forever.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me so that I may humbly walk in Your presence.  Amen.

“So go to the main roads, and invite whomever you find there to the wedding feast.’  Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests” (Matthew 22:9-10).

The Great Commission tells us to go out into all the world, baptizing in the name of Holy Trinity.  We are invited to be immersed in the love of God.  Who is to be invited?  All whom we meet.  All are invited, but we are also called to get ready.  Some will dress appropriately, and others will not.  That is the business of the Lord.  Our part is to go into the world and share the love of Jesus.

Almighty God, You have made clear in Your word that You have invited all to come into the relationship You offer by grace through faith.  Some will hear the invitation and some will not.  Some will hear now and others later.  Help Your people to understand that whether one accepts the invitation or not, all are invited.  Our part is to go into the world sharing the Good News of great joy.

Lord Jesus, through parables and teaching, You have told us how to go about the business of living this life of faith.  It is not just for us, but also for those around us.  Help me to be willing whenever the occasion arises to share the hope You have given me.  Guide me to be willing to use those opportunities You give me that I may share with others what You have shared with me.  Amen.

“Now the king was angry, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire.  Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy” (Matthew 22:7-8).

There will be a new heaven and a new earth.  For those who have claimed the earth as theirs, who have stolen and manipulated for gain, it will all be taken away.  What good is it to gain the world and lose your soul?  Jesus has gone to prepare a place for all who believe.  If it were not so, He would have told us.  Through parables and straight-forward teaching, we have been told what Jesus is doing.

Thank You, Lord, that I have heard Your word.  Thank You for preparing the way.  I still struggle with the desires of this age.  I want, I accumulate, I seek what can never be mine.  Free me from the anxieties of this world in order that I may live the life You give me.  Prepare me so that I may attend to all that You are preparing for the faithful.  Guide me out of this world and into eternity.

Lord Jesus, You died for all of those things kept deep in my heart where I harbor the sin which has eaten up the souls of so many.  Take away the sin that is within me.  Help me to live into the life You are giving me.  Guide me to learn how to willingly be conformed in preparation for what lies ahead.  Lead me, Lord Jesus, in the way of everlasting life and help me to rejoice and be thankful that You are preparing me as if I were worthy of Your invitation.  Amen.