Tag: testing Jesus
The Son of David!
Scripture reading for March 31st: Luke 20
The week before Jesus’ last Passover, He went into the temple and was questioned by the religious leaders. They were trying to trap Him so that they could have an excuse to kill Him. They had already decided to do it, but were looking for the right opportunity. As they asked Him questions, He answered them with such skill as to silence them. (Luke 20:26, 40) Coincidentally, this was the same time that the Israelites were to be examining the Passover lambs that would be slain for their families!
Jesus then turned the tables on these leaders. He posed a question to them concerning the Messiah. “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord; “Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet.” David calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can He be his son?” (Luke 20:41-44) The leaders were unable to answer His question. Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures to show that the Messiah was also David’s Lord!
“While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”” (Luke 20:45-47) Jesus knew the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. He spoke plainly to His disciples warning them. He also warned the people who would soon be tested as well. The Son of David was Lord of all!
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!