An effective play against a hard-charging defense is a quick “trap” right up the middle in football. The defensive lineman is trapped by a pulling lineman, who only needs to knock the unsuspecting opponent off-balance while the running back slips behind the block!

The Perfect Play!

Though the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus in Matthew 22, He was not like an out-of-control defensive lineman! Three groups took turns, giving Him their best shot. The Herodians were Jews who submitted to Rome but wanted Herod, not the Caesars, to rule Israel. The Pharisees were legalistic, religious Jews who sent their spies to trap Jesus. The Sadducees, who arose about 300 BC, were upper-class liberals who denied that anyone ever rose from the dead. These three bitter rivals united to achieve a common goal: the elimination of Jesus Christ.

The Pharisees sent spies to flatter and trick Him, though they acknowledged that He taught the truth and catered to no one. They asked whether Jews should pay the hated Roman taxes to Caesar. If He said, “Yes,” the people would not accept Him, for to pay tax implies acceptance of authority. If he said “No,” He could be accused of disloyalty to the government.

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” He said. Jesus taught that we can be subject to both God and government simultaneously. The benefits of government are law and order, protection, roads, and a universal currency that aids business. But the government is not God! No government or governor should be worshipped! It is God who creates everything the government uses! Jesus could not be trapped by His enemies, who went away in silence.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete recognize that God isn’t an elected official but the King of the universe, and they owe Him—and Him alone—their highest allegiance.

Bible Memory Verse – “And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” Matthew 25:32 (LSB)

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