by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

June, 2026

One day, a group of Sadducees confronted Jesus with a question (Matt. 22:23). The Sadducees were notable for denying the possibility of resurrection and the existence of spiritual beings (vs. 23b, Acts 23:8). They cited the Law of Moses, which said that a man was responsible for his brother’s widow if the brother had no children to take care of her (Matt. 22:24, Deut. 25:5-6). They posited a scenario in which there were seven brothers, and the oldest died and left a widow (Matt. 22:25). They expanded their premise so that each brother died in turn, and each one married the same woman (vs. 26). Finally, they said, the woman died as well (vs. 27). Then they asked, “‘In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.’” (vs. 28 New Revised Standard Version).

Jesus responded, “‘You are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God.’” (vs. 29b NRSV). He went on to say that at the resurrection there would be no marriage because people would have a spiritual nature, and would no longer be concerned with earthly things (vs. 30).

The Sadducees tried to tell Jesus—who was God—what God could and couldn’t do. It didn’t work but unfortunately, humans still try to place restrictions on God. But God doesn’t need us (Matt. 3:9, Acts 17:25) and God certainly doesn’t need us telling God what God can and can’t do. The two factors Jesus mentioned, scriptures and God’s power, are both central to our faith.

Paul told the Christians in Rome, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4 NRSV). Notice that he did not write, “For whatever was written in former days is literally true.” My wife, Charlotte, is fond of saying there’s a difference between scripture being inspired and being dictated. Scripture is a source of truth and encouragement but it has limits. Paul knew the scriptures were incomplete and didn’t have all the answers. “For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.” (1 Cor. 13:9-10 NRSV). There are those who use scripture to tell others what God can’t do, what people God can’t accept, what sins God can’t forgive. The Sadducees tried—and failed—to do the same thing. But if we have only an understanding of scripture, without an equivalent understanding of God’s power, we will only learn what God has done and miss what God can do. Scripture holds not only rules and condemnation but grace and hope.

Paul told his young friend, Timothy, that God had given believers “. . . a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7b NRSV). God’s power is demonstrated through love. The two go hand in hand. Likewise, the scriptures are embodied and fulfilled in love. Paul told the Romans, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Rom. 13:10 NRSV).

After Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees, one of the Pharissees asked him, “‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’” (Matt. 22:36 NRSV). Jesus replied, “‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”’” (vs. 37-39 NRSV). Jesus said everything is covered by these two commandments because they express both scripture and the power of God (vs. 40).

Peter told his readers, “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you,” (1 Pet. 3:15b NRSV). Part of being prepared is knowing and understanding scripture. Paul asked the Romans, “And how are they to hear [about Jesus] without someone to proclaim him?” (Rom. 10:14b NRSV). The Greek word translated “proclaim” is “kérussó” (“κηρύσσω”), which refers to preaching, but we don’t need to preach. We can proclaim Jesus by telling—and showing—what the Gospel means to us, and by demonstrating God’s love with a spirit of patience and gentleness.


“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness.” (2 Tim. 2:24-25a NRSV.)

Copyright © 2026 by David Phelps