May 24, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Paying Taxes to Caesar
Luke 20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
The Lord Jesus Christ had given the parable of the wicked tenant farmers pointing out the wickedness of the false religious scribes and chief priest and elders. They knew it was about them, they “sought to lay hands on Him.”
They were sneaking around behind the scenes trying to find something wrong with the Lord. They were looking for anything they could use against Him to lay hands on Him according to Jewish law. They were in every sense of the word narcissist.
Often times the case is true when God’s word is preached, and people see themselves as sinners, many will become incensed and try to find something, anything, that can be used to stop the truth from being preached. Nobody likes to have their sins pointed out.
Such is the case with Jesus and the religion of the time.
Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Notice they sent men who feigned themselves to be just men or the good guys to trick Him into dropping His Gard so He would say or do something they could use against Him. Jesus was not deceived by their tactics.
They brought Jesus a penny and asked: Luke 20:22 “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?”
They knew, if they could get Jesus to give Creedence to Caesar other than God they could lay hands of Him because He would have violated the first and second commandment of God.
Luke 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
You cannot deceive God.
Luke 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
The point this morning is this: If you are a born-again bible believing Christian, don’t worry what others think, just keep your eyes upon Jesus and walk with Him.
Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
