The kingdom of heaven is compared to a king who prepares a weddingbanquet for his son. The king sends his servants to those who have beeninvited, but they refuse to come. Likewise, God has extended an invitationof fellowship, but some have not valued Him or His kingdom. Instead,
they go off to pursue their own interests. Some even mistreat and killHis servants. - P66
Today, many have received God‘s invitation to enter intofellowship with Him. However, those who neglect God‘s work, live selfishly,
and even persecute His servants will not only miss the celebration but alsoface judgment for their actions. Let us pray that more might recognize thevalue of God‘s kingdom and accept His invitation. - P66
Since those who were invited refuse to come to the banquet, the invitationis now extended to others. What is striking is that the king invites anyonefrom the streets-both the good and the bad. Now everyone can beincluded in the wedding celebration, but not everyone partakes in itsblessings. When the king sees a man who is not properly dressed in weddingclothes, he banishes him from the feast. - P66
Even though all are invited intoGod‘s kingdom, only those who respond rightly to the call and align withHis will are able to enjoy its blessings. We are reminded not only of theimportance of responding to the call to follow Christ but to also value Himand reflect His character. - P66
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
16sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "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.
17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?"
18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
- P68
20and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?"
21"Caesar’s," they replied. Then he said to them, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."
- P69
Jesus is confronted by an unlikely alliance of Pharisees and Herodians. The two groups disagree on many issues, but they unite in trying to trap Jesus with a politically charged question about the necessity of paying taxes to the Roman empire. A "yes" would offend Jews who resent Roman rule, and a "no" could be used to accuse Jesus of rebelling against the government. It seems that there is no way to avoid getting into trouble. However, Jesus responds with remarkable wisdom, exposing the motives behind the Pharisees’ question. - P70
Today, many approach Jesus with skepticism rather than faith. However, believers who align themselves with the Holy Spirit and His infinite wisdom can navigate challenging conversations, revealing the truth to those who do not yet believe in Him. - P70
Taking a denarius, Jesus asks about the image and inscription that areimprinted on it. The group acknowledges that the coin bears the Romanemperor‘s image and inscription. Jesus wisely addresses the obligation topay the tax by saying that the people should give back to the emperor whatis already marked as his. However, Jesus also says that the people shouldgive to God what is God‘s. - P70
Since all of creation is under God‘s authority,
the people should offer all devotion and worship to Him. In this passage,
we are reminded of our dual citizenship: We are to participate responsiblyas citizens of our earthly nations, but our identity and ultimate loyalty areto God and His kingdom. - P70
As Christians who live outthe ways of Jesus, giving back to God is something we should do daily inthe grace that He has given us.
- P71
The Pharisees‘ hearts were hardened, and they failed to see the truth becausethey were so caught up in their own pride and self-centered beliefs aboutGod. They were not able to see the truth in the Scriptures they knewso well. If they had been walking in the ways of God, they would havehumbled themselves before Him and not been consumed with trying totrap Jesus with political questions. - P71
We are blessed because we not only haveaccess to all the Scriptures that the Pharisees had, but because we haveChrist. In Him, we have the grace of living in the new covenant with theopportunity to recognize God for who He truly is and to worship Him forall He has done. - P71
Lord Jesus, You see beyond every motive and reveal the truth. Teach me to walk with integrity on earth while reserving my deepest loyalty to You alone. Strengthen my faith so I may follow You wholeheartedly in every circumstance. In Your name I pray, amen. - P71
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