Simple, Self-Evident Truth

Author: Joseph

Date: February 11, 2024

Many times we are asked questions regarding what we believe. Sometimes we have an immediate answer and other times the questions seem to necessitate a time for reflection before giving an answer. But the truth is far more simple than a complicated response. Yeshua shows us this in the way He responds to questions regarding the Scriptures from the major religious leaders of His time: the Sadducees and Pharisees. Both came with seemingly difficult questions, yet the answers they they were given from Yeshua proved indisputable based on self-evident truth.

The first question that was given to Yeshua was regarding marriage after resurrection. A woman married seven brothers in sequence as each one died, so it was questioned which one would she be married to upon being resurrected. The question was a trick question, however, because the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, rather, they were trying to make their argument for their lack of belief in it with their question. How could a woman be married to seven men? Each marriage was done properly and so the Sadducees came to the conclusion that this example, among many others that they likely had available, was proof that there was no resurrection because it would require polygamy to be acceptable, contradicting the Scripture’s design for a one man and one woman marriage. Yeshua knew their intent, however, He also knew that their belief was based on a misunderstanding of Scripture.

Yeshua knows there is a resurrection, so first he addresses their question directly. When bodies are resurrected to eternal life, there is no need for marriage because marriage is designed for love that leads to procreation. One does not need marriage to simply love someone else, but it is necessary to procreate. So Yeshua answered, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30).

Then Yeshua addresses their question itself as a lack of understanding. Their question is not valid because when God presents Himself, He says, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Matthew 22:32). He does not say, “I was the God of Abraham,” rather “I am the God of Abraham” because in Him Abraham still lives (example: John 8:56). A simple thing to overlook by mistake. The fact that God had introduced Himself this way was self-sufficient evidence.

Then Yeshua gets questioned by the Pharisees after answering the Sadducees regarding what the greatest commandment is. He answer that loving God and loving one’s neighbor are the two greatest commandments. It is impossible to do anything for God in genuine obedience without love. Just as we inherently know and feel when someone listens to us out of love, it is true and sincere. Such a genuine obedience is only to be done in love, therefore, any commandment properly obeyed is to be done with love toward God. Otherwise, we know it isn’t genuine obedience and God of course knows it (Psalm 66:3; 81:15). All obedience relies on love, otherwise it is only feigned obedience.

Yeshua understood the power of self-evident truth in the Scriptures and used them to reveal the foolishness of the “wise.” A simple answer is often all that is needed to give an answer to those who ask questions about our faith. Keep you answer simple and you will find that it is often closer to the truth than a complicated exegesis could ever be.

"Don’t be afraid of difficult questions..."

God often uses the simple and seemingly “foolish” things to show the “wise” their folly. Sometimes we feel inadequate to give the “right” answer, but what we should be more concerned about is relaying what is true according to God. Don’t be afraid of difficult questions when you receive them. Instead, know the Scriptures well so that God can bring to your memory exactly what you need to say when the moment arises. God will lead you to simple truths that will be irrefutable and convey exactly what needs to be said.

Matthew 22:23-46

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org