Entrapped by Evil

Scripture/Bible:   And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Hero'di-ans, to entrap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it." 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17 Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:13-17

Reflection: What if someone came to you with deception writ large on the face and you knew for sure the motive behind the talk sweet approach? 

I am sure many of you would be angry and fume over the whole thing. If you had the strength to fight it out and there were no legal obstacles, then you would use all in your capacity to beat the person black and blue or expose the person to public disgrace and shame. 

We find a similar situation in the Gospel, when these Pharisees and the Herodians come to Jesus to entrap him. Jesus knows their motives, even as they sweet talk in order to tell Jesus his true qualities.

How can entrapped creatures seek to trap a person who is free?

Jesus is quite calm about the storm that these men want to brew. He listens to their query and sees that they know the truth of life and the truth about him and instead of seeking to follow him, which should have been their first priority; they still seek to entrap him. 

Here is clear case of humans knowing the truth and yet not adhering to it; if Jesus was a teacher, who according them: “was true, and cared for no man; did not regard the position of men, but truly taught the way of God.” then they should have wholeheartedly followed him.  

Why do human inspite of knowing the truth, even in their inner conscience still follow a lie? But the fact remains and it is true in all our history, that there are quite many who knowing the truth walk not in it.

The many among the Christians, who are supposed to be the light to the world, could be the first who are in this category and they are instruments of leading others also astray either by not knowing their faith or by knowing their faith, like these men in the Gospel. These do not want to stand for the truth lest they displease their superiors. .  

Prayer: “I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word. I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me. Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”  Ps 119:101-102,104

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