It’s quite obvious, the religious leaders were determined to get Jesus condemned. It could also be truthfully said they were fools. They were definitely stubborn. They were trying to trap Jesus in His words so they could arrest Him. They kept trying to outwit Jesus.

No one can out think Jesus.

 Yet just as the religious leaders- we believe we can.

 “Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their trickery and said, “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”“Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.” Luke 20:20-26

 What can you and I learn from this event?

 We learn about ourselves and we learn about Jesus.

First, we are unwilling to accept the authority of Jesus.

Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and fed thousands. They personally witnessed many of these miracles. The people “hung” on His words. But these “leaders” would not submit, they refused to believe the truth. It’s true, we are like the religious leaders.

We are wise to submit to Jesus. He is God. His authority is founded in perfect love. Listen when He calls. He speaks to our hearts.

 Second: they believed they could trick Jesus.

They flattered Him by saying they knew He taught the “way of God according to the truth.” They tried to trap Jesus with the question about taxes. Caesar was a vile leader. Yet Jesus told them: “Pay your taxes.” You and I cannot trick Jesus. God knows our every thought. Trying to out think God is to swindle ourselves.

Third: Jesus said “Give to God what is God’s.”

What belongs to God?

Get the answer to this question right and everything in our lives fits together. What belongs to God? We do. (And-All things are God’s.) Whether we acknowledge this truth or not we belong to God. He made us. He gives us life. He gives us eternal life THROUGH Jesus. Paul, writer of much of the New Testament (and one of the religious leaders who would not accept the authority of Jesus at first) wrote these words.

 “If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8

 Last thing…look at verse 26 again…

 “So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.”

We can never “trap” the Creator of the Universe in His words.

Be amazed by Him.

Be silent before Him.

Jesus is God.

Believe.