Mat 22:15-17, THEN THE PHARISEES WENT AND PLOTTED HOW THEY MIGHT ENTANGLE HIM IN HIS TALK. (16) And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. (17) Tell us, therefore, what do You think? IS IT LAWFUL TO PAY TAXES TO CAESAR, OR NOT?”
These men thought that JESUS was like the other teachers who could be won over with flattery; ‘TEACHER, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE TRUE, AND TEACH THE WAY OF GOD IN TRUTH…’. “They believed that no matter how Jesus answered, He would be in trouble—either with the people or with Caesar.”!
Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “WHY DO YOU TEST ME, YOU HYPOCRITES?
HE knew their hearts and their intentions, yet HE would still answer them!
Mat 22:19-21, Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. (20) AND HE SAID TO THEM, “WHOSE IMAGE AND INSCRIPTION IS THIS?” (21) They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “RENDER THEREFORE TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S, AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S.”
The Pharisees and the Herodians were earthly minded, only thinking of their position and their influence over the people, But JESUS was always heavenly minded! As the coin was created in Caesar’s image, We were created in GOD’s image! (Genesis 1:27)
The mission of JESUS was to preach the WORD and to bring as many as would listen to HIS FATHER, in repentance.
Isa 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, …
Mat 22:22, WHEN THEY HAD HEARD THESE WORDS, THEY MARVELED, AND LEFT HIM AND WENT THEIR WAY.
The mission of the religious men was to discredit JESUS by any means possible, but they were humbled by HIS wisdom! In serving Jesus, distractions may come in many forms, but no matter what they are, our gaze must remain fixed on heaven, not drawn to the things of earth!
Rom 13:11 And do this, KNOWING THE TIME, THAT NOW IT IS HIGH TIME TO AWAKE OUT OF SLEEP; FOR NOW OUR SALVATION IS NEARER THAN WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED.
Looking up, HE is almost here!!