GUARD YOUR WORDS!

GUARD YOUR WORDS!

Matt 22:15-22

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

          The Pharisees, strict adherents to the law and personal representatives of staunch Judaism, were present to hear Jesus say it was lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. If this is what Jesus would say it would strengthen their position against the Son of God. The Herodians were there to hear Jesus say that it was not lawful to pay tribute. If Jesus said these words then he would be condemned for rebellion and tax evasion. It was a set-up! It was thought that Jesus could not win.

Herod was at this very time at Jerusalem, whither he had come to hold the passover. Jesus, being of Nazareth, which was in Herod's jurisdiction, was considered as his subject. Herod himself was extremely attached to the Roman emperor, and made a public profession of it: all these considerations engaged the Pharisees to unite the Herodians, who, as the Syriac intimates, were the domestics of Herod, in this infernal plot. (From Adam Clarke's Commentary)

          Jesus created both the mind and the tongue and He used them with great skill. The penny bore the stamp of Caesar and should be returned to him but all things belonged to God. Religious involvement in civil issues are always a danger because both Pharisees and Herodians are always standing by.

Col 4:6

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Dear Lord, give me your wisdom today in answering questions. AMEN