Trick questions were never a problem for Jesus. He could see right through them and always had an answer that exposed the trap. Challenges about taxes, neighbors, the essence of the law, Jesus answered them all with clarity and deep insight. Then came the day when, according to Luke, Jesus silenced the trick questions, the challenges, the efforts to catch him in a heresy once and for all. Some Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, made up one of those silly hypothetical situations that is almost embarrassing to think about. If seven brothers all marry the same women, one at a time, to which one does she belong in the resurrection?
Never mind the answer that Jesus gave. To me, the real point of the story comes at the end. “Then some of the scribes answered, ‘Teacher, you have spoken well.’ For they no longer dared to ask him another question” (Luke 20:39-40). At that point the religious elite realized that Jesus could not be outwitted. No matter what they may think about Jesus and his preaching, they had to acknowledge that he knew what he was talking about.
Over the years I have heard a lot of skepticism expressed about God and the truth of religion in general. I’m guessing you have too. If God can do anything, can God create a rock so big that even God can’t pick it up? That’s one of the silly ones. On the serious side are questions about the nature of evil and why a loving God would ever let horrible things happen to good people. The truth is I don’t know. Sometimes all I can do is step back and realize that God, like Jesus, can’t be tricked or manipulated, but can be trusted. Oh, I have questions, too, and I believe that God hears them. But there are days and seasons when it is best for me to simply sit in silence and let God be God. Skepticism has its place in life. But so does faith. And if for whatever reason you do not believe God to be real, I would encourage you to set aside your resistance for just a bit, and wait and see what happens. It may be that God really does have an answer for you. It may be that God is really at work in your life whether you perceive it or not.
Prayer: Lord, be with those who wrestle with doubt this day, helping them to find you and to know you as you know them. Amen.
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