Oct 22

Matthew 22:23
Memorise 1 Peter 5:2
“… for a bishop must be blameless,as a steward of God.”

The Sadducees were aristocrats. They were the wealthy and prominent figures of Jewish society. Many were in the Sanhedrin Council forming the majority. Sadducees were rather political and often acted to try to find a compromise between the Romans and the Jews. They were not very popular among the Jews because the Jews did not trust them.

The Sadducees also held rather strange doctrinal beliefs, including the belief that there was no resurrection of believers, as we have read in our reading for today. The Sadducees questioned Jesus on this topic attempting to trap Him. The Sadducees were condemned both by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7) as well as by Jesus. (Matthew 16:6). John described them as a generation of vipers or snakes. They were liars who constantly conspired to cheat poor people of their possessions. Jesus warned the disciples to be careful about the doctrines and beliefs of the Sadducees likening them to leaven used in baking bread, meaning that a little amount of this false doctrine will cause much damage.

Our modern churches are also in danger of being infiltrated by people who are like the Sadducees. These are people in the church who have an appearance of respectability because of their wealth. People look up to them because of that. However, their hearts are worldly and wicked. Problems arise when church leaders allow themselves to be deceived by such people, showing them more respect than they deserve and even calling them into positions of leadership, in very much the same way the Sadducees were called to be part of the Sanhedrin Council. Before long, the church becomes worldly and corrupt. The Lord is no longer taught or loved and the church slowly dies. We must always be careful that this never happens to us. The choice of leaders should always and only be founded on the Word of God, nothing more and nothing less. If we add or remove any of the criteria that God has given us in His Word, we fail the Lord and His sheep. We must be steadfast.

Thought: It takes only one unfaithful generation to destroy a church.
Prayer: Father, help us to elect godly leaders into church leadership.