Give to God what Is His

The Pharisees didn't try to trap Jesus with the question on paying taxes.  It reads like this:

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 

 They didn't have the guts to show up themselves.  So they sent their disciples. I never realized why until I read from N. T. Wright.

The moment they produce a coin for Jesus is the moment they implicate themselves in compromise. Casear's coin had his image (a disgusting thing for a Jew) and inscription: "Son of God... High Priest"  Producing the coin shows they were using the very coinage of an evil and hated godless regime.  And in the temple no less!  No wonder these lackeys were sent in for this confrontation.  The Pharisees knew it, and they had no guts to face Jesus themselves.

Wow.

Jesus then challenges them on the very thing they haven't done.  They haven't given to God what is His.  We are made in the IMAGE of God.  God has written His law on our hearts.  Have we given Him what belongs to Him?

Jesus would give to God his body.  Jesus would surrender up His spirit.  In doing so the Son of God becomes our true High Priest.

You can't make this stuff up.

PRAYER:
Father, I want no more compromise, no more holding back.  Show me where I have not yet given you my life.  Then give me the strength to follow your Son through the cross.

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