Word@Work 140 - Mark 12:15-17
Published: Mon, 06/09/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 12:15-17 Should we pay or shouldn't we?" But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. "Why are you trying to trap me?" he asked. "Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him. (NIV)
The Pharisees did not want to pay taxes to Caesar, the Herodians thought it was important: neither of them has any desire to honour Jesus as King. So they set a trap: if Jesus agreed with the tax, He would be discredited as God's spokesman; if He denounced the tax, it would be civil disobedience (and punishable by death). What Jesus saw in both groups was hypocrisy. He always knows when someone is a fake.
Of course, His classic answer defeated their plot. They could do nothing but be amazed at the way He answered. It would have been reasonable for them to hold up their hands and admit defeat. Intellectually, morally and spiritually Jesus was infinitely superior to them. But more than that: He was the embodiment of truth. He knew everything. They embodied untruth - their words did not match their motives, and their questions did not search for knowledge.
We should also be amazed by Jesus. What security there is in being known inside and out ... if the one who knows us, loves us ... and we love Him. But for those in rebellion (however well they polish their words), such transparency leaves nowhere to hide. His answer is also helpful to any Christians who are wondering about tax dodging!
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am glad that You know everything about me. Give me Your wisdom as I live in a corrupt society, and help me to speak wisely to those who want to find a reason for their unbelief. In Jesus' name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
The Pharisees did not want to pay taxes to Caesar, the Herodians thought it was important: neither of them has any desire to honour Jesus as King. So they set a trap: if Jesus agreed with the tax, He would be discredited as God's spokesman; if He denounced the tax, it would be civil disobedience (and punishable by death). What Jesus saw in both groups was hypocrisy. He always knows when someone is a fake.
Of course, His classic answer defeated their plot. They could do nothing but be amazed at the way He answered. It would have been reasonable for them to hold up their hands and admit defeat. Intellectually, morally and spiritually Jesus was infinitely superior to them. But more than that: He was the embodiment of truth. He knew everything. They embodied untruth - their words did not match their motives, and their questions did not search for knowledge.
We should also be amazed by Jesus. What security there is in being known inside and out ... if the one who knows us, loves us ... and we love Him. But for those in rebellion (however well they polish their words), such transparency leaves nowhere to hide. His answer is also helpful to any Christians who are wondering about tax dodging!
Prayer: Dear Lord. I am glad that You know everything about me. Give me Your wisdom as I live in a corrupt society, and help me to speak wisely to those who want to find a reason for their unbelief. 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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