Be Ready to Give an Answer
Scripture Passage: Mark 12:13-24 (NASB)
13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God in truth. Is it permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Are we to pay, or not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16 And they brought one. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17 And Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at Him.
18 Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the wife and raise up children for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21 The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22 and so the seven together left no children. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, which one’s wife will she be? For each of the seven had her as his wife.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God?
SUMMARY
The Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees all came to trap Jesus to make a defined statement and to answer a riddle. Both parties were malicious in their intent. Jesus wisely answered the Pharisees by giving them a simple truth. Jesus answered the Sadducees by telling them that their thought process was flawed because they did not know the Scriptures.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
The Pharisees and Sadducees had taken their eyes off of God, but created their own religion. They were not looking for God’s approval but seeked for men’s approval. Thus when the crowd began to flock to Jesus, they had to try and disqualify Him. But Jesus was able to give answers that silenced both parties. Jesus told the Pharisees to be at peace in all you do and obey the government’s laws and God’s laws. Then He told the Sadducees that they were mistaken, because they misused what Moses had written to try and benefit themselves. They did not fully understand the Scriptures or purposely took them out of context.
Man has had a broken relationship with God since the fall in the Garden of Eden. He has been trying to restore this relationship, whether he knows it or not, through good works, philosophy, and religion. All kinds of false arguments can be made against God, but God’s Word and its truth is the only answer to these arguments. We must be immersed in God’s Word, reading it, meditating on it, and memorizing it. For it has the power to answer arguments and to save people. 1 Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
APPLICATION
I need to spend more time reading God’s Word. I need to understand God’s heart for a world that desperately needs Him, now more than ever. I need to memorize verses that explain God’s surpassing love for man and how He wants to restore relationship with all people. I need to be ready to share with others God’s amazing love and how He changed me and He can change them, and forgive them of their sins.
PRAYER
Father, I pray I will not be passive in my faith. I have a wonderful story to tell of your amazing love for us. I pray I will be bold in sharing you with others, Father. Give me courage and strength to give an answer as to the hope I have in you. I commit to reading your Word so I can use your word as my defense. In Jesus’ name I pray.
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