“The scribes and chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?’ But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” Luke 20:19-26
Time and again the religious leaders exposed their bias against Jesus. They flattered and sweetened questions, but betrayed their insincerity with every attempted trick. They meant not to get truth but to elicit answers they could twist to attack Him. They were bent on catching Him, not the life-changing meaning of what He said. (Luke 20:1-8,27-40)
Selfishly-held rights and hard hearts can cause the same in us. We really prefer to believe and behave as we want, so we look to Jesus to bless our choices and activities rather than sincerely seeking His input or correction. We keep intimacy at bay because getting to close to Him might cause conviction or needed correction. We engineer inquiries in hopes He’ll approve of our current course of action.
Have we allowed self-importance and independence to condition us against God’s authority in any area? Where are we guilty of searching scriptures to find a phrase that might support our misguided decisions or be retooled from context to justify certain behaviors? Do we look for loopholes, exceptions, and excuses, rather than seek, accept, and surrender to truth? Where do we attempt to trick God, foolishly thinking we can convince or deceive the all-knowing One?
It would make a great difference in our reception of all the Lord would teach us if we approached Him with open minds and a willingness to be challenged. How and when will we release stubbornness and preconceptions, and come clean about deceptive motives? Would we then draw near with honest confession and desire to catch all He says and means?
“Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” ~Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871)
Lord, purify my motives to welcome and apply Your truth every day.
As the rain and snow 