Reading
SAA Notes
Jesus uses every attack to teach wonderful truths about the Kingdom. Think about one such truth taught in today’s reading. In verses 41-46, Jesus exposes the Pharisees’ unbelief to their own eyes. They know the Christ will be the Son of David. They know Jesus is the Son of David.
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, please refresh our hearts and minds today from Your word.
“Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus’ words here are profound.
The church leadership were trying to catch Him out with a question about taxes and government authority.
God cannot be tricked!
Jesus’ words here are a hard word to us today.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Submission to government for the things that a government has authority over. Taxes being one of them.
Render to God the things that are God’s. Submission before the Creator God for the things that He has authority over. Our lives being one of them.
Importantly the principle Jesus gives here cut back inside.
Do not render to God what is Caesar’s.
Don’t think we can buy our way into God’s good graces, or work really hard to obtain the salvation God gives, giving God a tax so He will treat us well or give us good things.
And without doubt today one of the most insidious modes of thought working through the church today.
Do not render to Caesar what is God’s.
Don’t think the government deserves power and authority that are God’s alone, bowing to them so that our true worship is compromised and becomes false religion.
God is sovereign on His throne in heaven.
We humanity are sinners by nature and choice, no matter our position in society. We need a Saviour.
* Father God,
Please save us from our sin. Save us from pride and arrogance, from greed and lust, from complacency and from bad decisions.
You are God. We are Your creation.
Please help us to render to You today and onwards the things that are Yours.
Our lives as living sacrifices.
Amen.