Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? Luke 20:22

The religious leaders were distraught over Jesus, he has turned their religious world upside down. The only way they thought they could stop him , was by challenging his teachings and discrediting him. So they thought of a good argument to bring against him, “Should the Jews pay taxes to Rome or not”?

This is the perfect question or scheme to trap Jesus. If Jesus says Israel shouldn’t pay taxes to Rome, then they have the perfect reason for the Roman government to crucify him. If Jesus says Israel should pay taxes to Rome, then they can convince his Jewish followers to rise against him

But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. Luke 20:23-24

The religious leaders obviously didn’t understand who Jesus is. Being the Son of God he saw their deception and knew they weren’t really looking for truth, they were just looking to deceive people. So Jesus threw them a “curve-ball” of his own. He asked them who’s image was on the money.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. Luke 20:25

Jesus response here is so brilliant you could do a whole sermon just on this one text. Jesus is saying we should pay our taxes and respect our governments, however we also need to love God and give what belongs to him

Is this referring to tithing? Not necessarily, everything belongs to God. God doesn’t want your money, he wants your heart, mind, and soul. He wants your full devotion of your life, when you analyze it, the list gets very long quick

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. Luke 20:26

Jesus answer was so perfect, they had no response and held their peace. If your looking for wisdom and understanding, seek Christ. Remember to love God with all your heart, mind, and soul Amen!

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Luke 21:8

Jesus warned and taught us, there will come a great deception. We are living in a time of great deception of Christianity. Many false “prophets” and “teachers” are using the name of Jesus to mislead millions of people to false conversions and false religions

If Jesus didn’t teach it then you shouldn’t follow it. If you truly are a Christian then Christ should be the center of your life. Problem is most people don’t take his words (The Bible) and their salvation serious enough

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Luke 21:9-10

The media and governments like to control people with fear. Everyday you hear about this country is going to attack this country, these things are going to happen. Don’t go running for the hills everytime a rumor of a war pops up…there is coming a greater tribulation that the world has never seen! You will know the signs!

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Luke 21:11

There are going to be natural disasters and famines, doesn’t mean it’s the end now. Many false prophets mislead many with fake books based on natural signs. The blood moons was a great example, how many believed the end of the world based on the Blood Moons? Point is don’t fall for every deception based on natural events

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. Luke 21:12

The persecution and death of Christians has been happening since the resurrection. It continues to happen today and will get worse in the future, are you ready for this? Don’t fall for the deception that you will receive earthly blessings because you’re a Christian, this is the opposite of what Jesus taught us

The great deception is in the Christian Church today, a deception of prosperity, a deception of a watered down Jesus, fix your eyes on Christ alone. If you abide in him you are saved, there is no other means of salvation except by Christ Alone!

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Luke 20:4

Jesus was spending a lot of time preaching at the Temple, which a lot of the religious leaders obviously didn’t like. They especially didn’t like it because people were actually listening to Jesus and they didn’t have any answer to rebuke him.

Finally they got the nerve to question Jesus authority. They asked him “By what authority are you preaching these things”? Instead of Jesus simply telling them that he is God in the flesh, he responded with another question to get them to think.

The question Jesus asked them was “ Is the act of baptism that John was performing from the authority of God or from himself?”

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. Luke 20:5-6

The religious leaders comptemplated how to answer this question. It was obvious the religious leaders were more concerned about how they would appear towards other people than the truth. Its also obvious they were pretty convinced that John the Baptist was indeed a prophet otherwise they wouldn’t have hesitated with this answer

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things. Luke 20:7-8

So the religious leaders, rather than give an honest answer and engage in a dialogue with Jesus, they decided to answer “We don’t know”. So Jesus seeing these guys were not going to have an honest and open discussion about this, decided just to end the conversation there

While we are seeking God, are we seeking him like the religious leaders or are we being open and honest? Are we more worried about what other people may think or are we actually seeking truth? God will answer based on your motives…