October 16, 2005

Mt 22:15-21
The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion, for you do not regard a person's status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Knowing their malice, Jesus said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax." Then they handed him the Roman coin. He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar's." At that he said to them, "Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."
There are clearly times when Jesus was begin tested by the Pharisees. Jesus did not fall into the trap that the Pharisees had set. They wanted to be able to accuse him of treason or being unfaithful to God. His answer was not against Rome or God.

At times people will set traps and look for faults and actually try to break down what I am building up. I need to remember to pray to the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of what to do and say. I need to remember that the way of the world is that there will always be hypocrites and Pharisees. Jesus wants me to be a light to the world, to shine in darkness for all to see, unafraid of the hypocrites.