“Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother” (Mark 12:18-19).

Another trap.  The ones who do not believe in the resurrection set traps to ensnare those who do not agree with them.  This is the way of wickedness.  Seeking to be clever, they take you down a trail with a trap set at the end.  The truth is the truth and those who twist the truth for their own ends will do what they do to feel good about themselves, even if it comes at the expense of your understanding of things.

Lord, I know there are those in this world who seek their own ends.  Help me to see through them and not to be caught up in their traps.  Guide me through this world’s traps seeing them for what they are.  You have revealed truth and what I may think about things is secondary.  In You alone is the world held together.  Guide me in wisdom to not get worked up by those who are seeking for their own gain.

Lord Jesus, You entertained all these people on equal footing.  You gave each of them their time.  Help me to not put You to the test but instead seek the wisdom which You give.  Guide me to focus on the upward call that You have given me, knowing that in You I have life and liberty.  Lead me in the way of life You are preparing me to live.  Help me to put none to the test, but keep my heart and mind devoted to the Gospel.  Amen.

“They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.”  And 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 12:16-17).

This is an amazing answer.  Seeking to trap Him, Jesus turns around and gives a piece of profound wisdom that we can apply to all of life.  The Creator, who created all things, is truly the One to whom all things belong, but He has given us these things for us to use as stewards.  What is used for something belongs to that thing for which it is used.  The principle here is one of honoring the use which has been established.

Lord, You are all wise and know us better than we know ourselves.  For those who fear You, You grant wisdom.  We are to render obedience to the authority which is over us.  We are to render what is due according to the obligations set upon us in this world.  Guide us to understand more clearly the need to be ordered and active citizens in this world to be prepared to be honorable citizens of the eternal world You for which You are preparing us.

Lord Jesus, You guide and direct us into wisdom.  Teach me to honor others knowing that in so doing I am honoring You.  Lead me to be faithful in all things knowing that only through Your Spirit can I be prepared to live with You eternally.  Guide me in the way of honor and teach me so that each day I understand more of what it means to properly render all I am and have according to the Father’s will.  Amen..

“Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at” (Mark 12:15).

The Lord knows hypocrisy.  We are not to put the Lord to the test, but we do it all the time.  “Lord, if You do this . . .”  Our prayers are to be from our heart and without condition, just as our love, in order to be love, should be without condition.  We receive mercy and the Lord has put up with the foolishness of sinners throughout the ages.  His desire is that we would not perish, but come to Him humbly, willingly, and without condition.

Lord, I confess that I too have lived with my share of hypocrisy.  Guide me away from foolishness to follow You alone in the hope that only You can give.  Help me to live according to Your grace and mercy, and not to be tempted to put You or anyone else to the test.  Teach me to live the life You have given me, looking to You as the One who will guide me in the way of living righteously.

Lord Jesus, long-suffering Savior, You have made the way possible for me to move from living a life of hypocrisy toward living righteously.  Help me to have the right fear so that I overcome those places where I am tempted to put You or anyone else to the test.  Guide me in my living so that I humbly walk under Your direction and live the life You have given me to live.  Through You, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I am more than able to do all You command.  Amen.

“Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement.  They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” (Mark 12:13-14)

If a politician cannot sway the crowd with tactic “A,” he uses tactic “B.”  Can you see that nothing has really changed?  Nuances are used, seeking to trap another into a false statement.  There are some religious that do this.  They’ll lead you down a trail, and if you give the wrong answer, declare that they are right.  Be wary of the traps of the wicked ones.  Look to the Lord’s teaching and walk in the way of truth.

Lord, You know all things, and knew the wickedness that was seeking to trap You.  I often do not have the ability to see the traps.  Help me to see the traps of the wicked ones and deal with them  by Your word.  Where I do not have the answer, grant me wisdom to look to You and, if necessary, remain silent.  You alone give the words of eternal life in a world filled with those who seek to destroy,

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way through all of those who seek to kill and destroy.  Hatred is their power.  Lead me into the truth of love so that I do not return hatred with hatred, but with the love You give me.  Grant me wisdom to discern, and willingness to serve, that I may humbly follow Your example and live into the life You are giving me.  Guide me always, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away” (Mark 12:12).

Wickedness can never stand up to the truth.  Although multitudes in crowds may not fully understand all that is happening, there are those who know enough to know whether or not it is a bald-faced lie.  The world is filled with manipulative politicians who are always playing the crowd.  Jesus comes in and speaks to each one of us personally and asks us to follow Him and not to follow the whims of the politicians of this world.

Lord, nothing has changed.  There are those who seek a power they will never have and the sheep who are constantly being manipulated.  Help me to see the simplicity of truth and shed myself of those things which get in the way of humbly following You, even if it means to be seized by others.  Lord, You have given the words of eternal life.  Where else can we go?  You are true and You have revealed truth.

Lord Jesus, the truth revealed, guide me in faith to face whatever adversity might arise  seeking to lead me astray.  Keep me faithful to You.  You are the foundation upon which, through which, and for which all things have been made.  Lead me into the depths of true living so that I may humbly walk according to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.