Tuesday, April 3
Citizens of Two Kingdoms Matthew 22:13-22, 34-40Tuesday was one of the longest, hardest days in Jesus’ earthly life. His rejection of the moneychangers on Monday inflamed the authorities. As He returned to the Holy City, His enemies were waiting for Him, their trap baited. The question seems simple: “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Matthew 22:17). But their challenge forced Jesus to take a stand on the most dangerous controversy of their time. Rome required every subject to pay the “poll tax” to the Empire, using a coin which praised Caesar as divine. If Jesus supported such idolatry, the adoring crowds would turn into an ugly mob and reject Him as their Messiah. If He rejected the tax, the Roman soldiers standing guard would arrest Him in an instant. Either way, His enemies would be rid of the Galilean and His threat to their authority.
Jesus’ answer stunned His opponents: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (v. 21). We are to be loyal to our country, but first we are to be loyal to our Lord. He deserves our obedience, worship,and gratitude.
At Home...
What do you owe God today? Your next breath is His gift. He has forgiven every sin you’ve confessed to Him. If Jesus is your Lord, He has given you eternal life by His grace. Every “good and perfect gift” comes from Him (James 1:17). Now your Father wants you to love Him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Take some time to examine your spiritual health:
Do you love God with all your “heart” (your will and decisions)?
Do you love Him with all your “soul” (your life)?
Do you love Him with all your “mind” (your thoughts)?
Do you love your neighbor as much as you love yourself?
Pray, asking God to help you give Him all that He deserves today.
Ciao! De ;)
6 comments:
Dear De,
very pretty! wow are you a Deacon?
I liked the fact that he could not be corrupted; he stood for love and honor
love,nat
Thankyou for this De ...love Jan xx
Dear De,
good job and have a wonderful week!
love,nat
have a good week:)
Deb
De, I'm so glad you are doing this. I was just thinking the other day wondering how the Lord spent each day from Palm Sunday to the Last Supper/his arrest, etc.
thanks for posting these.
Yep; I've said it on multiple occasions; the Lord said so simple - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. If we truly did that, wow, what an awesome world it would be!!
check out that other journal written by someone "dear" to you; I think it will be very interesting what you read. It impressed me when I heard it.
Thanks for sharing these thought provoking entries...
Lyn
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