The Trap

Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don't play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn't we?" Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, "Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I'll tell you." When they handed it to him, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." His reply completely amazed them. Mark 12:13-17 

Follow these animal tracks and trap it!

The trap. Like an animal in the forest or the desert…the Jewish leaders wanted to trap Jesus. Were they successful? No. They tried to get to compliment Him saying that they recognized that He rightly taught God’s ways, but wanted to twist His devotion—His loyalty to the Roman government. Seriously, how loyal were they to the Romans? Oh, they paid their taxes—but they were still looking for a Messiah, too, who could set them free from the Roman oppression. Should we pay taxes? As if they thought that Jesus had the power to tell them not to pay. No. If He said, “Don’t pay” they would have the Romans arrest Him and throw Him in jail. Such hypocrites. But Jesus is smarter, wiser, and amazed them! This shrewdness was described by one of Job’s friends as he was sitting around suffering. 

But as for me, I would seek God, and I would place my cause before God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number. He gives rain on the earth And sends water on the fields, So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd, So that their hands cannot attain success. He captures the wise by their own shrewdness, and the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted. Job 5:8-13 NASB 

“Give to Caesar what belong to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” What belongs to God? Everything. Did those Pharisees follow His advise?

What will you give to God today? Your money and time—or just a tithe of those things? Your family? Your home? Your car? Your heart…and your life?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I give You all that I have…and all that I am. Use me today as Your willing servant to be arms and feet to those You would serve and touch. 

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 22; Mark 12

© 2017 Text and Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted

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