Trying to Trap the Lord: Symptom of Something Very Wrong (Matthew 22:15-22).Sunday October 12, 2025
Intro: In Matthew’s account of the final week of the Lord’s life, he begins with three events that clearly reveal Jesus as the Christ-King, followed by three parables from the King to the leaders, followed by three questions from the religious leaders to Jesus the King.
But then Jesus breaks the pattern with a question of His own. This breaking of the pattern of three is itself a pattern. In fact it’s the original pattern 3+1.
Let there be light Lights in the heavens Separation of waters Animals in sea and sky Land and vegetation Land animals and man
(3+1) Sabbath: Shalom. Shalom refers to the way things ought to be. And in Jerusalem in the very days that the long awaited Messiah is presenting Himself to Israel, things are not the way they are supposed to be.
Mat 22:15-22
This is the first of three questions. You know there is something very wrong in the hearts of Israel’s leadership when these are the questions they have for their long awaited Messiah.
Question 1: secular – does the Law allow us to pay taxes to Caesar?
Question 2: religious – How does heaven do earthly things?
Question 3: factious – What’s most important about God’s law?
Jesus’ question: Who am I?
They send disciples (their apostles). The leaders have apostles who do their bidding, herald their messages. Paul tells us that Satan uses these as messengers;
2Co 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Flatter Christ.
Herodians and Pharisees are unlikely partners.
Mat 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Hypocrites flatter with what they should be and accuse their enemies of what they are.
Mat 12:24 “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”
Joh 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.”
Not the way things ought to be.
There is a constant tragic loss of life in this world; daily.
Tragedy and sin infects families and societies, and only the life of Christ can break that curse.
People fall into the snare, the trap, and the schemes of the devil.
False apostles.
Jesus knows their hearts. Don’t fret. He is never trapped.
Jesus’ response is nothing less than brilliant.
Jesus understands something they don’t. Something that every believer understands and must always mature in - there are two realms; Caesar and God.
Joh 18:36 "My kingdom is not of this world.”
Joh 18:37 "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Jesus seeks to open their hearts to what’s wrong in them with a tried and true method. He is a master teacher.
Question – commandment; Question – commandment.
Money – the ultimate symbol (image) of love of the world.
Why did God give money over to Caesar? Would God give to Caesar what God thought was important?
The denarius has Caesars eikon on it as well as his name. What has the eikon of Christ?
Col 1:15-20 [many think this was an early church hymn. It rhymes in Greek] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Reconciliation: the way things out to be – Shalom.
And in our age, the mystery church age, His image has been impressed on every believer in Him:
Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him
“Render to Caesar and render to God.” (Don’t mix them up)
Luk 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Conclusion: Not shalom – things are not the way they’re supposed to be.
Things were very wrong in Israel. They only wanted to preserve their positions and wealth in the wrong realm.
Jesus, the Messiah King, entered His city and boldly pointed out the error in their hearts.
The problem in the world today is not much different. In fact, more has been given to the world. Christianity has so influenced the world that people are surrounded by its principles and blessings without even knowing it.
We must evangelize. Bold like Christ. Judgment is coming.
Rev 19:15 He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
We have to witness the excellencies of Christ as His priests. We have to reveal Him in words and deeds.
Perhaps, there is something wrong in you. Not shalom, Sabbath, God’s seventh day of blessing and fellowship in your heart. You lack boldness because of fear. You are clinging to wealth, power, and image in the manner of those leaders, so that you do not feel free; the freedom of heaven on earth and you prefer earth’s goods and comforts – Caesar’s image and inscription over God’s desire.
There is something wrong in the world, there is no doubt. There is no shalom at large. If we have it in our hearts and in our homes and churches, then the world will see it.
2Co 5:16-21 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
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