Tag: trapping Jesus
Trapping Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 30th: Matthew 22
Towards the end, the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus so that they could charge Him with religious error and do away with Him once and for all. They were jealous of His authority and the crowds of people that followed Him. One such effort was recorded by Matthew. “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 22:16-17)
Jesus was immediately aware of their evil intent. He called them what they were–hypocrites! He then asked them to show Him a coin of that day and asked whose inscription was on the coin. They answered that it was Caesar’s. “Then He said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”” (Matthew 22:21)
There are those today that argue that Christians should refuse to pay taxes because of the evil things that are done with the money by the government. Others argue that the tithe is an Old Testament law that doesn’t need to be obeyed because we are under grace. Jesus would not be trapped. The human mind reasons to find loopholes for selfish reasons and takes the Word of God out of context. Jesus spoke truth in a simple manner! Taxes are due to Caesar! He and His own disciples paid them! (Matthew 17:27) The tithe is owed to God because of who He is: Lord of heaven and earth! Let’s be sure we are not seeking to “trap” God by twisting His own holy Word!
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!