SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8/13/2023 7:49 AM
My Worship Time Focus:
PT-3 “The Attack”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Matthew
22:15-17
Message of the verses: “15 Then the
Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16
And they *sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth,
and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17 “Tell us then, what do
You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" 18 But
Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you
hypocrites? 19 “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax." And they
brought Him a denarius. 20 And He *said to them, "Whose likeness and
inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar’s." Then He said
to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God
the things that are God’s." 22 And hearing this, they were amazed,
and leaving Him, they went away.”
I begin this SD by quoting a paragraph from
MacArthur’s commentary: “Just as the
Pharisees’ praise of Jesus would not have been taken seriously neither would
anything they said in support of Rome.
The Pharisees were highly religious and fiercely nationalistic, not
unlike the Zealots. But they perhaps despised
the Romans more for their paganism than for their military oppression. In any case, their hatred of Rome was no
secret, and were they to report a seditious statement or activity to the governor;
they would themselves have become suspect.
The Herodians were therefore useful, even if dishonorable, co-conspirators,
and they would make perfect pro-Roman witnesses against Jesus. Although the Pharisees and Herodians violently
disagreed about religion and politics, they wholeheartedly agreed about Jesus and
were not loath to make common cause against Him.” This paragraph explains how two enemies could
come together over a common cause, and again that cause was the hatred of
Jesus. I truly believe that this kind of
things happens in our world today, even in our country, where just a few years
ago it would not have happened, but because of the downfall of the true church
in our country it has allowed Satan to gain a foothold now where he could not
have gained it earlier in our countries life.
Luke
describes the Herodians as spies: 20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be
righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could
deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor.” I like what
Dr. Luke has to say here as these spies (the Herodians) were flatteringly
talking to Jesus “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of
God in truth, and defer to no one: for You are not partial to any.” Not partial to any? Later on Jesus will talk in strong words to
different sects that were in Jerusalem, strong words of judgment. Addressing Jesus as teacher was a high form
of honor, reserved for rabbis who had distinguished themselves as astute
students and interpreters of Jewish law and tradition. The Talmud said, “The one who teaches the law
shall gain a seat in the academy on high.”
I
am off the continue teaching our Sunday school class from the book of
Zechariah, and then to kind of continue our celebration with a trip to Cedar
Point near the shores of Lake Eire, and although it is not my favorite place my
family likes it and all of them will be there so it is a must that I go.
8/13/2023 8:20 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment