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by Sandy Shaw
We are studying in Luke Chapter 20, where the tension in Jerusalem is undoubtedly increasing. When we come to verse 20, we move into the area of spies. Here we see various groups of people coming to Jesus - but most of them with wrong motives - with suspect motives - with impure motives - yes, it is possible to do that. The New Testament reveals human nature in a way no other book in the world does, but it also reveals how human nature can be rescued, healed and helped.
The religious leaders in Jerusalem sent out spies, who pretended to be honest, and these spies would listen to what Jesus Christ was saying, but out of corrupt twisted distorted motives.
Jesus is being subjected to all kinds of attacks. He is being surrounded by men who are out to catch Him in His Words, and these informers would be prepared to magnify little things, or even invent things. 'We'll get an incriminating charge'.
'Catch' is the word used for fishing or hunting. Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Lord, is now a hunted Man. When people hate God, they will do terrible things. They won't always attack directly. They will sometimes try and get someone else to fire the balls, and they will want to involve as many people as possible.
This happened in The Garden of Eden - in the Parkland of Paradise. Eve involves Adam. It doesn't look quite as bad, if you can involve others.
"It wasn't just me miss - but him and me - and another couple of boys were involved too."
They want to discredit Christ's words, and accuse Him of something. It doesn't matter all that much what it actually is. They were so sick in their minds and they don't know it, and really they needed Jesus to heal them.
So they send spies to listen to Jesus - people who pretend to be sincerely interested.
Motives are always important when we come to the place of prayer. We are not to be looking for faults but for food - hungry for food - grazing in these lush nourishing pastures - drinking from refreshing running water.
Verse 21. On hearing this sort of talk some people would do almost anything to hear more and more of this type of flattery, but not Jesus. Hypocrisy and flattery are close cousins. When people speak like this watch out - beware - this is duplicity - deceitfulness - double-dealing.
What they said was all true - but the motive was wrong - impure - from a corrupt source - like the girl who shouted at Paul in Philippi.
They are not sincere - they are playing - pretending - see how subtle the enemy is.
Serpents usually have a sting in their tail, and here it is in verse 22. "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" It is a clever question. It appears at first to present Jesus with a deadly dilemma. How are you going to get out of this one Jesus? You can almost hear them thinking. We will discredit Him this time. We'll get the public against Him - or the authorities. We'll get a charge against Him one way or the other.
Jesus saw right through them. He knew how they were thinking. "Jesus, it is lawful for us Jews to pay taxes to a Roman Emperor?" This is a very clear political trap. If Jesus had said "No", He could be charged with treason - as a revolutionary. If Jesus said, "Yes" then they could say that Jesus was siding with the Romans - a collaborator. Again, we have to learn - never try to be too clever with Jesus.
These questioners were not interested in taxes. But Jesus knew what they were interested in. Jesus knew what they were up to. He asks - "Why do you tempt Me?"
Jesus could be very straight and go right to the point when He faced hypocrites who were only pretending to be interested, but Jesus goes on to use the situation to speak and teach. Jesus takes the initiative - verse 24 - "Show me a coin." - a silver coin issued by Rome. Give me a coin which you are already using - which you are already committed to. They were prepared to accept Caesar's money, and use Caesar's money. A king's domain extended as far as his coins were used.
Who is on this coin? Whose face is this? Caesar's. Then render to Caesar what is Caesar's - and Jesus takes it further - and to God what is God's! They did not expect that. Jesus is exact - compact - direct. When we challenge Jesus there can be many things which we did not expect Him to say.
"Give" or "Render" means - to give what we owe - to pay what is right to pay.
If Caesar provides you with an army - and protects you with soldiers - pay him. Pay for education - Health Service - army - police - cleaning of the streets - whatever it may be - pay these taxes – pay your taxes.
The Jews had benefited in so many ways from what was called the PAX ROMANA - the peace which Rome gave. You could travel anywhere throughout the Roman Empire in comparative peace and safety - without a passport - so pay up.
Jesus is teaching these spies - and us - Taxes are not bad. But remember what else is written here - "and to God what is God's".
God is giving us an amazing insight as to what Jesus had to face during these final days of His Life on the earth - leading up to the Cross.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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