“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.