Word@Work 139 - Mark 12:13-14
Published: Fri, 06/06/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 12:13-14 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (NIV)
A lion may trap a gazelle and a fox may catch a rabbit, but only because they are more powerful and know how to lie in wait and stalk. Trying to trap God is not a bright idea! He is infinitely more powerful and knows every ambush (the Old Testament is full of such stories)! Yet (so called) clever people still think that can put God in a box and ship Him out of their lives: they want to find a reason for unbelief. Such people gain popular credit and sell books by the truckload; but they are transparent and nakedly destitute before their Maker.
So when the religious and political elite came to corner Christ, they used flattery (although, in fact, it was all true), However, it was flattery, because they did not believe the truth in what they said. It is always good to ask a question in order to learn; but it is cynically insincere when the motives are corrupt. Seeking the truth is not just a matter of questions, but the reason behind them.
So, today, many will throw a smokescreen of questions to deflect their conscience from responding to what they already know. Romans 1:20 (click the link) says that everybody has enough information to know that God has all power and authority - so nobody has any excuse not to submit to Him.
Prayer: Dear Father. Please help me to discern the motive behind people's questions so that I can lead them to Your truth, rather than confirm them in the folly of their prejudices. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
A lion may trap a gazelle and a fox may catch a rabbit, but only because they are more powerful and know how to lie in wait and stalk. Trying to trap God is not a bright idea! He is infinitely more powerful and knows every ambush (the Old Testament is full of such stories)! Yet (so called) clever people still think that can put God in a box and ship Him out of their lives: they want to find a reason for unbelief. Such people gain popular credit and sell books by the truckload; but they are transparent and nakedly destitute before their Maker.
So when the religious and political elite came to corner Christ, they used flattery (although, in fact, it was all true), However, it was flattery, because they did not believe the truth in what they said. It is always good to ask a question in order to learn; but it is cynically insincere when the motives are corrupt. Seeking the truth is not just a matter of questions, but the reason behind them.
So, today, many will throw a smokescreen of questions to deflect their conscience from responding to what they already know. Romans 1:20 (click the link) says that everybody has enough information to know that God has all power and authority - so nobody has any excuse not to submit to Him.
Prayer: Dear Father. Please help me to discern the motive behind people's questions so that I can lead them to Your truth, rather than confirm them in the folly of their prejudices. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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