Tricking Jesus: Matthew 22:15-22; Luke 20:20-26; Mark 12:13-17
When Jesus was in His ministry (age 30 - 33), He performed miracles, healed people, raised people from the dead, multiplied food to feed thousands in one seating, walked on water, and cast out demons from people. He went about doing good and helping those who were oppressed. He taught the people about God and the scriptures and mentored His disciples who would later carry out the gospel.
Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders who accused Him of hanging out with people who did not have good reputations like prostitutes and tax collectors. Jesus transformed people’s lives and then He gave the ultimate sacrifice, Himself so that all mankind could have a personal relationship with God and have everlasting life.
The religious leaders were constantly plotting to find fault with Jesus. They were very political and would try to trick Jesus by asking Him questions that could, depending on His answers, cause the crowds to go against Him or could get Him in trouble with the Roman government body. The religious leaders hated Jesus because He didn’t fit into their mold, He helped the people, and He did things that went against their religious beliefs. They cared more about their rules than the lives of their people. Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He didn’t have his disciples fast, and He called Himself the Son of God. He proved His divinity through miracles, healings, and wonders.
Since taxes were a major concern for the Jews who had to pay taxes to Rome as well as their temple taxes, the religious leaders asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes, specifically to Rome. Remember, the Jews had been conquered and were living under Roman law. Jesus asked the religious leaders to bring Him a coin. He held up the coin and asked whose image and inscription were on the coin. They answered, “Caesar.” Jesus then says, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” They marveled at His answer and had nothing to accuse Him.
The religious leaders were eventually able to accuse Jesus unjustly and had Him brought to trial where He refused to defend Himself. This led to the crucifixion on the cross where Jesus died. But praise be to God, He did not remain in the grave and was resurrected on the third day. The devil thought he had won when Jesus went to the cross, but the trick was on him because it was God’s plan of redemption for mankind. A sinless man had to be our substitute sacrifice to take our sins away and bring us back to God. Jesus had to shed His blood for our salvation and our healing.
I Corinthians 2:7-8 says, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” In other words, the devil didn’t know God’s full plan to save mankind and he doesn’t know God’s full plan for our lives. Our enemy is not all-powerful like our God and we have the wisdom of God when we seek it. Trust in God and know that He loves you so much and wants the best for you. If you do not have a relationship with God, now is a good time to ask Him to forgive you of your sins and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. (John 3:16; James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6-7)
Personal Development Tip of the week:
This week I challenge you to watch what you speak out loud about your life. We have to remember as Christians that the words we use have power behind them.
How many times can you remember saying to yourself, I can’t do this, I'm not that. Although we might not think at the moment it means much everything we say has power behind it to either help us or hurt us.
In Proverbs 18:21 it says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” and we must remember to speak good things about our life because everything we say plants seeds that grow the more we speak them.
Prayer for the week:
Thank you, Lord, for another great week. Bless us this week to put God first in everything that we do. With you lord all things are possible and I’m praying for you to lead us this week to have a great week in Jesus name Amen!
-Dayne
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Tricking Jesus