LUKE 20:19-47 THEY WATCHED --- HE PERCEIVED The on-going antagonism of the priests and scribes was because they understood the claim of the Lord Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah of Israel. They would not accept Him but could find no way to condemn Him for this claim. Everything that was happening in His life was supporting this claim. There are many people today that deny the deity of Christ, and many other even deny the existence of God. Deliberate rejection of God, Christ and the truths of God's word, results in deliberate blindness that we cannot take away from the eyes of unbelievers. Our strongest witness of truth to such people is the meekness and lowliness of Christ lived out in our lives. It is very difficult for watching people to refute visible evidence of godliness seen in human lives.
There were two ways in which the opposition continued in their search to find a reason to kill the Lord Jesus. One was political - to find a way to get the Romans to deal with Him, and the other was religious - to get Him to make a judgment contrary to the law. To give tribute to Caesar was very offensive to the Jews. The tax system was corrupt then as it is now, and the money was used in offensive and unjust ways the same as tax money is used now. So, what are we to do? By telling them to produce a coin of exchange they used themselves, the Lord made His first point. They themselves were using that money for their own benefit even though they were secretly condemning it. Caesar's image was on one side and his title "Pontifex Maximus" ("the greatest potentate") was on the other. By using this coinage, they had shown they accepted the authority behind the use of the coin. The Lord's answer simply meant: if you travel on roads made by taxes, are protected by armies paid for by taxes, enjoy privileges in any way that are provided by taxes - then pay Caesar. We are to do the same today in spite of the misuse of funds we know is happening.
Then the Lord told those watching of a greater responsibility. "Render to God the things that are God's." God only is the "Pontifex maximus." There is no higher authority than He. Right in their midst was God in human flesh. He perceived their question was an attempt to refute the fact that He was the Messiah. If they were true to God, they would give to God their all - including themselves. We have that privilege and responsibility today of presenting our bodies "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable (priestly) service." If God is our "Pontifex Maximus" this will be the desire of our hearts.
The silence of those who watched Him, testifies to the fact they understood perfectly what He said. The next question that was asked came from the Sadducees, and was along the line of a religious test. Those men had already taken a position religiously, so were obviously wanting to provoke a reply that would give a reason to condemn the Lord in some way. Is there life after death? That was their real question. Those who had watched Him to catch a legal reason against Him, failed because He perceived the real issue behind the question. The same thing happened in this illustrated, and in a sense foolish, question they asked. The Lord Jesus went behind their question to the fact of resurrection - life after death. Many people today do not believe in life after death. They are willfully limited in their minds to a preconceived position, the same as the Sadducees. They limit themselves to consider the reality of things only from the length of their own personal experience. In His answer the Lord qualified and corrected what we know about angels. Angels are real, angels do not die and angels do not marry or procreate.
Marriage is a part of our life now. It is a condition of this age that people die because of sin. There wouldn't be a human being alive if there was no marriage and the producing of off-spring. When there is "no more death" there will be no more need of people being born. Humans are not angels nor will they become angels, but will be, after death, as the angels who do not marry and produce off-spring. The family relationship in heaven has only God as our Father. Interpersonal relationships will be on a different basis then the family relationship we have here. Even the Sadducees who knew the scriptures and the story of Moses at the burning bush would remember God told Moses, "I AM (not I was) the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." This means He is now still their God - not that He was only their God when they lived on earth. God is the God of those who are living now even beyond the death-day they had on earth. The existentialism of the Sadducees was denied and that atheistic philosophy was dealt with in a very authoritative and dignified way so that they didn't ask any more questions of Him.
After the Sadducees questions were silenced, a lawyer asked Him about the greatest of the commandments. The Lord answered him with the question, "What think ye of Christ?" The Jews had great hope in the coming Messiah who would come from David. They answered, "David's son." The Messiah they hoped for was David's son and they were correct in their answer. So, the explanation the Lord gave was in the form of another question after quoting a very pertinent scripture from Psalm 110:1. How would Jehovah, the great I AM, then say to Adonai, the Sovereign Lord, "Thou art my Son ...?" The answer was actually very plain. The Messiah is not just another king, but is David's own Lord (Sovereign). He was the Son of David according to the flesh, and the Son of God by the resurrection from (among) the dead."
The self-centered, arrogant, crafty, uncaring scribes were the subjects of His public warning to the disciples. In their hostility they were so blinded by hate they could not see, and so deaf by their own self-importance they could not hear. They desired people to see by the way they dressed, they had important positions. The uniforms people often wear today makes them officious and arrogant. They want people to honor them and give them prominent places because of their station in life rather than their moral integrity. Even while claiming this from others, they are foreclosing on widow's houses. Even the long prayers they make is only for show. The more public a person is, the more serious the offenses he commits as far as God is concerned. The more offensive they are, the greater the punishment such people can expect.
Nothing of what we do in life is done without observation. Things we might think no one knows, God knows each situation. Questions people ask may have as the objective our condemnation. God perceives their duplicitous and crafty intention.
There are those who watch and wait for an opportunity To find a way to make one fall and then escape with impunity. Their subtle words and questions they hope will give them immunity. God perceives the dark plans behind their insincerity.
Others who with sanctimonious looks and pious visage seem unflappable - By their interpretations of God's word use it ways inapplicable. When the truth is pointed out in the context, they become implacable. God perceives the ulterior motives they have that are undeniable.
When you see those watching out of narrowed eyes that seem suspicious. And they have actions and they dress in such a way as to be officious - And furthermore, they act in such a manner as to appear to others religious. God perceives it all and carries out His justice in ways most righteous.
When you think there is a problem arising from those with looks askance. And you feel intimidated, still to do right in the face of adversity, take the chance To do what you know God wants in spite of others and their critical glance. God perceives it all, He knows the duplicity, and needed help He grants.
"Gracious Father, may the fellowship and spiritual strength the saints of God enjoyed
yesterday give power to each one to face the tasks of this day. May we each be able and willing to apply the truths Thou dost teach us to every event of this day in a way that will glorify Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."