Caesar

Luke 20:20-26 (The Message)

20-22 Watching for a chance to get him, they sent spies who posed as honest inquirers, hoping to trick him into saying something that would get him in trouble with the law.

So they asked him, "Teacher, we know that you're honest and straightforward when you teach, that you don't pander to anyone but teach the way of God accurately.

Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

23-24 He knew they were laying for him and said, "Show me a coin. Now, this engraving, who does it look like and what does it say?"

25 "Caesar," they said.

Jesus said, "Then give Caesar what is his and give God what is his."

26 Try as they might, they couldn't trap him into saying anything incriminating.

His answer caught them off guard and left them speechless.

They're still trying to get him.

They're not going to quit until he's trapped. They're determined to turn the crowds against him.

They're waiting for a mistake...for a moment when he slips...any opportunity to do away with this man Jesus.

"Let's make him talk about money," I can almost hear them thinking.

"Yeah, ask him about taxes. Everybody hates taxes. And the people resent Caesar. If he says 'don't pay,' the people will love him but Caesar won't. If says 'pay,' the people will see him as a false prophet. It's perfect, there's no way out!"

This is the ultimate game of life-and-death "gotcha."

What could Jesus say?

Well...he could challenge the very premise of the question. That's what He seems to do so often, and it's very important that we listen.

"Look at this coin. Who's picture is this? What is the name inscribed here? I'd say it belongs to him. If he wants it...give it to him...he thinks it's his."

The crowd must have murmured...maybe some angry voices got raised, unhappy with what he'd said about paying taxes.

"But give God what belongs to him, too."

They were speechless. They didn't trap him. He trapped them. Again.

But remember this: Jesus' traps are not really traps. They're invitations to a new way of life. They will make us think. They will make us pray. They can change who we are.

He will leave us speechless, and that's a good thing.

Prayer: Father God, we pray for speechless moments today. We pray that you would show us the things that belong to you, and help us give you those with no reservations. We offer our hearts, leaving the things of the world for those who want them...teach us to want relationship with you and with our fellow human beings.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.