If your gonna trap Jesus you better have a really big trap.
Matthew 21:15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?”
That’s the last straw! He just finished clearing all the money making schemes from the temple and now the little children are singing his praises. The religious leaders are mad and they feel like they have tolerated this Jesus fellow long enough.
It’s time to set the traps!
Trap #1- Who gave you the right?
Matthew 21:23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Trap #2 – Are we supposed to obey the government?
Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
Trap #3 – What about religion?
Matthew 22:23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him.
Trap#4 – How about the law
Matthew 22:34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
observation
The religious leaders of the day used many tactics to try to at least discredit Jesus or if they could really have their way they could get lucky enough to have a reason to kill him.
It is amazing how smart we can think that we are, sometimes we try to outwit somebody but look at these fellows, they are trying to outwit God. Don’t laugh too hard or poke too much fun at them because we have all been there and done that. At times we have all played with sin or tried to have a secret sin over here on the side or maybe you knew God was telling you to do something and you kept ignoring his voice. We have it all worked out in our heads just exactly why we cannot be obedient and be submissive to what God wants us to do.
Jesus was always aware of their traps and he turned the tables on them.
- He spoke three parables against them (Matthew 21:28 - 22:14).
- He replied to their question with a deeper question (Matthew 21:23).
- He used scripture (Matthew 22:29-32) when they were trying to twist the scripture to create a trap.
Matthew 22:46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
application
Don’t try to play God. If you are embracing sin that you don’t want to let go of then don’t believe for a minute that you are out smarting God. Get real with him and he will be real to you.
prayer
Help us to be real with you Lord. You already know where we are at and what we are up to. Keep me from embracing a lie so that I will stay close to you and be useful for you.
