10172020 – Matthew 22. 15-22
Jesus was NOT easily “pinned down” on the political issues of his day.
Try as they might, they could NOT ENTRAP him.
Talk about your “TEFLON Messiahs,” that was Jesus. NOTHING would stick to him.
There is something almost MIND-BOGGLING about Jesus, he was CLEVER, insightful, PERCEPTIVE, QUICK WITTED and so very INGENIOUS-beyond his time.
He outwitted THE BEST of them…
He EASILY read people.
He SAW right through them…
He correctly READ and DIAGNOSED in every situation.
So, when representatives from “a NUMBER of Jewish leadership groups” come to Jesus with questions, he handles each of them IN HIS STRIDE. Questions about his AUTHORITY, questions about the RESURRECTION, and questions about the LAW were each dealt with accordingly. NO PROBLEM!
The question before us today, is brought by “the DISCIPLES of the Pharisees” and “the HERODIANS,” two very unlikely PAIRING of PARTISANS.
They come seeking to ENTRAP him. The attempt is being made to FRAME, ENTICE, BAIT, SNARE or somehow DUPE Jesus. In doing so, they would gain HONOR and PRESTIGE and he would become LESSENED in the eyes of ALL the people.
It was GAME PLAYING pure and simple.
The come, SPEWING PURE SLIME, setting up Jesus with EXAGGERATED PRAISE with the intention he will FALL FLAT on his face and fall from the PEDESTAL all the people have set him on…
IS IT LAWFUL…is NOT a question about Roman law. Of course, it WAS lawful. It was ROMAN law, being superimposed on ALL THE PEOPLE under their jurisdiction and SUBJUGATION. Roman LAW was “well known” for “requiring and enforcing” payment of Roman taxes to Rome. There was no — IS IT LAWFUL?
HELLO! Of course, it was LAWFUL!
Notice how these guys attempt to schmooze their way by speaking of Jesus’ INTEGRITY, commitment to the TRUTH, and his lack of concern for the OPINIONS of others… but fortunately, he sees – right through IT…and THEM.
The conundrum for Jesus is “IF” he answers YES, then he could be perceived as being IN COLLUSION with Rome, JUSTIFYING the Roman occupation and the oppression of the Jews. This would not be a POPULAR answer among the Jewish people. On the other hand, “IF” Jesus answers NO, he could be “suspected” of “REVOLUTIONARY SENTIMENT/and or crimes” against Rome.
It is a lose/lose situation for Jesus with no wiggle room, whatsoever.
YET, Jesus’ answer shows that he is aware of their trickery.
He calls them “hypocrites,” because they show something on the outside (flattery) that is quite opposite of what is true internally (EVIL INTENT.)
And of course, you do realize that EVERYTHING hangs on the interpretation of Jesus’ one statement…”Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God, the things that are God’s.”
It is an ambiguous answer at best, but one that can be interpreted in various ways…dependent upon WHO YOU ARE…and where you stand.
The way it is worded: it could indicate that the tax should be paid since the emperor’s image and inscription IS on the coin and that alone, would cause it to fall under “things that are the emperor’s.”
On the other hand, it also places a question mark on “what belongs to whom!”
Romans would applaud him saying, ‘pay the coin.’
Jews would have applauded the thought that HELLO – everything belongs to our GOD. EVERYTHING!
Consider the words to Psalm 24:1— “The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”
There was no wiggle room, whatsoever! His goose should have been cooked. But wiggle he did.
The people standing there were all amazed, with mouths hanging ajar.
But Jesus knew where his allegiance laid and it laid in one place only, it laid with God. So, in this crazy, bizarre world of ours today, where does your allegiance lie?