Matthew 22:15-22
The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Once again Jesus is confronted by officials or religious authorities who want to entrap him and once again Jesus essentially leaves them speechless. The disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians used cunning to entrap him. Jesus responded with wisdom and authority leaving them amazed and perhaps frustrated and angry. It raises the unsettling question, where does this man Jesus get such wisdom and authority?
ReplyDeleteI believe the answer to that question is tucked into the second part of Jesus’ response, “…and (give) to God the things that are God’s.” Ordinary things such as stamped metal coins belong to the emperor. Extraordinary things such as wisdom and authority are God’s. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, participates fully in the things of God, and they are expressed through his humanity as wisdom and authority
Returning always as he did to the Father in prayer, Jesus dwelled in intimate unwavering relationship with God, the fruit of which is wisdom and authority. May I do likewise and perhaps receive a small measure of wisdom as well.