Matthew 22:16

New International Version (NIV)

“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.

For meditation

Isn’t it interesting how people come around with all kinds of talk and stories, seeking information? The most interesting of them is when a child wants something and tries the favorite number on a parent. Sometimes they get away with it because of the surprise factor. Other times when it would not be harmful, we may act along and delight the child’s heart with the success of their ploy. But there are times when we have to let them know that we know what they are about so that they may not have the wrong impression that deceit is a fair means of acquiring things.

The Pharisees, Sadducees, and teachers of the law were masters of this art of setting snares around Jesus. They surrounded Him with questions designed to catch and draw him into offense with the law and the Roman Government. One day, “the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap [Jesus] in His words” on the issue of paying tax to Rome (Matt. 22:15).

It is always fascinating to see the intrigues of people, when they put away their differences and conveniently team up against a common foe. It’s a common thing that happens around us, which deserves our watchfulness. Those people usually say all the good things about their target to make the head swell and then slip in the tricky question. That’s what they did to Jesus.

The four things they said about the Lord were true and laudable. They acknowledged His integrity, affirmed His sound teachings on the law, appreciated His firmness on issues, and His independence from the flattery of people (16). Their bait carefully concealed the deadly hook, and they quickly drew it in. “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not” (17)?

Thank God Jesus knows every heart and our evil intent. He called them for who they were – hypocrites – and confronted them with their malevolent intent (18). With a denarius, Jesus then demonstrated how wrong they were and revealed their folly with the concluding statement:

“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (20).

1. Is that how we approach Jesus in prayer?
2. Do we play the little children games with Him?
3. Do we take time to examine our motives behind our supplications?
4. How did you feel when you found out that somebody pushed the right buttons on you with evil intent or wrong motives?
5. Will He refuse us any good thing if we go to Him by faith?

I pray we remember that God knows the whats and the whys of our asking, even before we bend our knees before Him (Ps. 139:1-6).

So: May we stop playing games with God in prayer, cut out the gimmicks, and be forthright with Him always; and may He reward our sincerity with the desires of our heart in Christ.

 “He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away” (Job 5:13).

Shalom