Tag: religious leaders

From my reading in Luke 20:27-47 in the One Year New Testament.

“Showing off” is a big part of our culture and has trickled in to our churches and ministries.

If we are not careful, pastors can become more worried about their Instagram and Twitter followers then their church members.

I have been tempted to to show off how my ministry “blowing up” at certain times and have also been tempted to be quiet sometimes when it was not going well. I think this is an issue that all ministry leaders are tempted with.

Spiritual showoffs were around even in Jesus’ time. Here’s what he said about them.

“Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” Luke 20:45–47

The religious leaders were taking the glory only God deserves and trying to steal it for themselves.

They didn’t desire personal holiness, instead they sought public recognition in the following ways.

1. Paraded around in flowing robes – These were extra-long fancy white linen garments worn by religious leaders that set them apart from others.

Do you wear things to get attention from others?

2. Love Respectful Greetings – They love being greeted as they walked through the town.

Do you enjoy being called pastor or reverend or even the recognition of being a good servant?

3. Seats of Honor In The Synagogue and Banquets – They got the best seats in the house because of their position.

Do you love being treated special at Church or events?

4. Pray Long Pious Sounding Prayers – They make their prayers extra long in order to show off how spiritual they are!

When you pray are you really talking to God or are you trying to impress people?

All the while these men were cheating widows out of what little property they have! These men looked good on the outside, but were rotten to the core.

Attempting to steal God’s glory is one of the things God takes most seriously!

Jesus warns that these men will receive greater punishment because of their greater responsibility. Jesus’ brother James gives a warning to those of us in spiritual leadership…

“Not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.” James 3:1

The role of spiritual leadership is not something to be taken lightly and is certainly not to make us look good. It is to make Jesus look good!

As spiderman would tell you, with great power comes great responsibility. 

We should do what ever we can to keep from causing others to stumble, people’s eternity are hanging in the balance.

Are you ministering to make much of yourself or to make much of Jesus?

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Reflection from my reading in Matthew 22:1-22 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

It’s A Trap

The religious leaders were desperately trying to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. If you ever watch an interview of a pastor on TV then you know it inevitably becomes “stump the pastor” as the host throws out the toughest questions they can ask. In the same way, the religious leaders started with some flattery then asked him their tough question.

“And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Matthew 22:16–17

To Pay or Not To Pay… That is the Question 

The issue of taxes was one of the most controversial issues for the Jews, because they were being forced to pay taxes to a government that was oppressing them. Caesar was a pagan King who did not worship God and promoted many evil practices. In the minds of the Jews, to pay taxes was to contribute to that. It is interesting to note that the religious leaders and the Herodians (supporters of Herod) were teaming up on this question, because the followers of Herod likely supported taxes and the Jews largely did not want to pay taxes. Jesus saw through their trickery.

“But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” ²¹ They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²² When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:18–22

Jesus saw through their trickery and answered shrewdly.

• With a clear “Yes we should pay,” the jews would have been angry and perhaps he would have had a riot on his hands.
• With a straight up “No,” his enemies could have reported to the Roman government that he was spreading anti-governement propaganda.

A Wise Answer

Jesus answered the question so wisely and that people were amazed! When he said, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s”, he was confirming that the Jews should pay the fair taxes that they owe to the government. But by saying “and to God the things that are God’s”, he is saying that God is the priority. That we should give our whole lives, our money and our hearts to God. This frustrated his enemies because they could not pin him down and make him say something that would get him in trouble. I will conclude with the principle that we can take away from how Jesus responded this controversial question.

His answer was clear enough to answer the heart of the issue, and vague enough not to be polarizing. 

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