Blog 05-31-2011
Tuesday
PRaP 05-31-2011
250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 193
Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus
“Religious Leaders Question Jesus About Paying Taxes”
Matthew:
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
The Pharisees were a religious group and the Herodians were a political party. Normally these two groups were enemies but in this case they teamed up against Jesus to see if they could make Him slip up and say the wrong thing. They thought they had a foolproof plan to corner Him, together their representatives asked Jesus about paying Roman taxes. If Jesus had agreed that it was right to pay taxes to Ceaser, the Pharisees would say He was opposed to God, the only King they recognized. If Jesus said the taxes should not be paid, the Herodians would have Him arrested and sent to Herod on the charge of rebellion. Jesus answer exposed their evil motives and embarrassed them and showed that we have dual citizenship. Our citizenship in the nation that requires us to pay money for services and benefits we receive and our citizenship in the Kingdom of God which requires us to pledge to God our primary obedience and commitment. Where do you stand? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and Give to God what is God’s.
Peace and Agape Love,
Pastor Steve
June 2, 2011 at 8:19 am
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