Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us — is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
He saw through their trickery and said, "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.
—Luke 20:20-26 NLT
Isn't it interesting that Jesus' public ministry is ending very similarly to the way it began — with people being amazed at his teaching? [1] The smartest and the best tried to trap him in social and religious conflict. [2] But, Jesus' answers were not only wise; they were also true. Seek your answers in him, and let him silence your doubts and answer the questions of your heart.
[1] Mark 1:21-22.
[2] For example, Matthew 16:1-4, 19:3-8, 22:23-30; Luke 11:53-54; John 8:3-11.
Holy God, please help me find my answers in Jesus as I seek your truth. In his name. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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He saw through their trickery and said, "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
"Caesar's," they replied.
"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.
—Luke 20:20-26 NLT
Key Thought
Isn't it interesting that Jesus' public ministry is ending very similarly to the way it began — with people being amazed at his teaching? [1] The smartest and the best tried to trap him in social and religious conflict. [2] But, Jesus' answers were not only wise; they were also true. Seek your answers in him, and let him silence your doubts and answer the questions of your heart.
[1] Mark 1:21-22.
[2] For example, Matthew 16:1-4, 19:3-8, 22:23-30; Luke 11:53-54; John 8:3-11.
Today's Prayer
Holy God, please help me find my answers in Jesus as I seek your truth. In his name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2023 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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