A Sure Response

​Mark 12:14 ~ “And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?’”
 
How often was it that the religious leaders during the days of Christ on earth tried to trick the LORD into making some verbal gaff or speaking something that would remove His credibility with the crowds? Far too many to go into in this brief time. Our text today, however, is one such moment. The Pharisees came to Jesus to try and trap Him in His words and asked a question about paying taxes to Caesar. His answer was simple, direct and yet quite profound: give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s (see Mark 12:17).
 
But there is an observation made that we will illuminate today, one that will, hopefully, help you to navigate the varied tests that people will put you through in your walk with Christ. It is a remark made by the Pharisees themselves concerning Christ, and it is the first part of our text for today. There are four observations made, and they are rather astute.
 
First, they recognized that Jesus was true. Look at what they declared in their opening line to the LORD: “we know that you are true.” Literally, they told Jesus that they recognized Him as one who did not conceal truth—that Jesus was factual and truthful. It begs the question, then, why they did not merely stop trying to trick Him and listen to what He said. Well, the reality is, they didn’t believe Him. They wanted to take Him off guard and tried to engender themselves to Him so that Jesus might lower His guard. And this is a good lesson for you and I. You will be tested and tried by the words of those around you, even those who you might think are actually complimenting you. Stay grounded in the truth. Remain firmly fixed upon the Word of God so that when they do question you, your answers are based on God’s word and not man’s ideas.
 
Second, they saw in Jesus that there was little concern for the opinions of men. Again, our text today reads, “and do not care about anyone's opinion.” It literally means that Jesus did not defer to any other worldly source of information. In the days of Christ, many would cling to the varied philosophies and thoughts that were trendy or common. It is no different in our day. But to defer to an opinion held by one who does not firmly hold to the truth, will lead you astray. And it will do us well to not defer to the opinions of man, but rather hearken to the Word of God. Peter warned the church that a time would come when “secret heresies” would enter into the church (see 2 Peter 2:1). And our LORD warned that we must not learn the “deep things of Satan” (see Revelation 2:24).
 
Third, they understood that Jesus was not swayed by the countenance of those who crowded around. Today’s text states: “For you are not swayed by appearances.” Jesus did not look to the gathered crowds of men to see if anyone frowned or rejoiced. What a trap it would be for the LORD to be more concerned as to how His words were received rather than if His words were true. But, today, many modern proclaimers pander to the crowds and try to persuade them through various oratory manipulations. And, if the crowds begin to show signs of rejection, they would change their tactics to try and keep them. Beloved, let us never pander to the crowd, but be diligent to seek the approval of the LORD.
 
Fourth, they declared that Jesus taught the ways of God truthfully. We read from our text today, “but truly teach the way of God.” Again, it takes us back to our first view—if they actually thought that Jesus taught the ways of God in truth, why not listen to Him and do what He says? Because the teachings of Jesus did not correlate to their own. They didn’t actually think that Jesus taught the truth, but tried to engineer a situation that would trap Jesus in His words. But let us take to heart the requirement to teach in truth the way of God. To pursue any line of spiritual teaching that does not hold to the Scriptures will always be contrary to Christ—no matter how good it sounds or how much we like it.
 
Dear reader, as a Christian walking through this world of deceptions and shadowed responses from all manner of people, we have an obligation to hold firmly to the Word of God. It is our solid stone that is secure in the storms. It will keep you from hazarding into the traps and pitfalls that others will lay before you to try and ensnare you with their words.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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