SCRIPTURE: Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
OBSERVATION: Did they hear what they were saying??? “You speak what is right! You do not teach to please some and condemn the others. You do not show partiality! You teach God’s ways truthfully!” They were the spies sent to trap Him in His words! But what great words of commendation they were speaking.
With their mouth they commended Him, but with their hearts they were seeking to discredit Him.
APPLICATION: Before condemning them, I need to check myself. Do I call Him Lord in my prayer, but then live like I am Lord? Do I sing beautiful songs of surrender and worship when I am with other believers, but then live like the world is more appealing to me when I am out on my own?
The Lord wants me to take His words seriously. But I must remember: He takes my words seriously. He wants me to listen to Him. But I must remember He listens to me.
PRAYER: Let the words of my heart and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Amen
Pastor Leon
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