Tag: Man of integrity
Jesus, Man of Integrity!
Scripture reading for October 12th: Matthew 20-23
“Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words. They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:15-17) Religious people were threatened by Jesus and tried to discredit Him. They tried to attack Jesus’ integrity by using a loaded question. They tried to get Jesus to say something that would enable them to arrest Him or charge Him with a crime against the Roman government. The Herodians were Jews who were loyal to Herod for monetary gain. They would have jumped on Jesus if he told people not to pay taxes. The Pharisees were against the taxes to Caesar and were trying to pin unfaithfulness to God on Jesus. They thought they had the perfect trap.
Jesus defused the trap with a simple illustration, asking them for a coin. He asked them whose portrait and inscription was on the coin. They replied that it was Caesar’s! Jesus simply told them to give to Caesar what was his and to give to God what belonged to Him! This simple answer defused their trap and left them amazed at His wisdom.
In our day and age, many people lack integrity. They are not sure what they believe or why. They are looking to find some fault in Jesus Christ or His word and continually offering arguments. They hear the word of Jesus, but aren’t listening to believe and obey, but to criticize and tear apart. Even when they are amazed, they go away to plot another attack or make excuses for rejecting the Savior.
Jesus gave these same Pharisees the answer to their question concerning the greatest commandment. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39) Jesus told them the simple requirements of God were found in loving relationships. All the Law and Prophets were based on these two. Love with integrity describes our God!