“When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.   But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together” (Matthew 22:33-34).

Authority is authority and one knows when they have been in the presence of authority.  Of course, the crowds were astonished.  Where else had they heard the truth?  This is what their hearts longed for.  But those who think in terms of this world hate the truth.  They gather together and plot to be rid of the truth.  The truth is forever, and the lie is a temporary illusion.  Which will you follow?

Lord, things have not changed.  You speak truth and unhindered, my heart knows the truth when it hears it.  The world speaks lies and seeks to lead us away from the truth.  You have spoken the words of truth.  Lead me into all truth and help me to have a discerning mind to both know the truth when I hear it, but also to recognize the lies that seek to counter the truth You have spoken.  Guide me into all truth.

Holy Spirit, You know clearly the way this world deceives many.  Let me not be deceived, but hear the words Jesus has spoken and live them in my heart.  Guide me in the way You know I need to live.  Help me to stay away from the dissensions of this age and humbly live in the truth You have spoken.  Lead me in the way of everlasting life.  Keep me in Your grace today.  Amen.

“But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:  ‘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” (Matthew 22:31-32).

Jesus is telling us that we are not here for a little while and then gone.  God is not indifferent to what He has created.  He cares about those whom He has created.  If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, we hope in vain.  But He has been raised from the dead, therefore we shall be raised with Him.  In this age, we are to be conformed to His image as God prepares us for what is to come.

Lord, there is more going on than I realize.  You have called me to follow You and You have shared that I am to have the hope of the resurrection.  Lead me out of the despair of this age to have hope in You.  Guide me in Your goodness to recognize the simple truth You have spoken.  This world seems to live by endless speculations, but You give us the words of eternal life.

Help me, Lord Jesus, to learn what it means to live by faith.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to humbly walk with You, my Lord and God.  Lead me in the upward call, for You are the God of the living and not of the dead.  Teach me in my daily life how to live this truth.  Let the life You give me be a witness of Your grace and mercy.  Thank You, Lord, for providing all that I need.  Amen.

“But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30).

Jesus is not guessing, but telling us the way it is.  What we are here and now is different than what we will be.  Is your hope in what you want or imagine things to be, or is it on what the Lord is telling you?  Why then the way of this world?  Ask the better question and ask the Lord what it is we need to learn:  “What are You teaching me, Lord, in what You have established in this age?”  What is it we need to learn?

Lord, I do often second guess You and think things need to be the way I want them to be.  Help me to hear You as You tell me things.  You tell me to live in today.  Help me to live in the moments You give me.  Help me understand more clearly that You are making of me what You will and that what I know here and now is that I am to be like You, Jesus.  Help me to be willing to learn and to understand.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into eternal life.  You have come from eternity to lead us into eternity.  Grant that I would look to You for understanding, and not assume that I know.  You have the words of eternal life.  Lead me in the way of life so that I may live my life as it is meant to be lived.  Through Your grace and by Your mercy, continue to grow in me Your likeness, dear Savior.  Amen.

“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.