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By: Vera Grimmius You may listen to this devotion in audio form via podcast here.
Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? - Matthew 22:17
The texts above made me think of questions. Several years ago, I was able to go to Israel. Our leader taught us that the Hebrew way of learning was often to ask questions. An example of this form of teaching can be found in the Matthew 22 passage. The Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus in His words. “Teacher we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus knew how to deal with evil, so asked, “Whose image is on this coin and whose inscription?” In this way he was able to teach all of us pay to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.
Job 41:1-10 brought to my mind the question: “What is a Leviathan?” Job is trying to understand why all the terrible things have happened to him when he had tried to live his life following God’s ways. God is speaking to Job and helping Job understand there is no way he can fully know God’s ways. God gives the example of the Leviathan. In Job 41:1, the Leviathan, according to some biblical scholars (who aren’t totally certain) is a sea creature that man can’t control. They also suggest it points to the power of Satan that no human can control. In Job 41:10 God asks Job, “Who then is able to stand against me?” This question helps Job see God made the Leviathan and everything in creation. God shows Job if we don’t have all the answers about how He created everything, we should not be surprised if we don’t fully grasp what He is doing in our lives. I might add here, God never minds when we seek Him with our questions of ‘why’.
Hebrews 6:13-20 this question rose: “Who does God swear by?” Swearing can come easily for people today –“Oh G__ this and Oh G__ that”. The writer of Hebrews shows God making His promises to believers by His own name. There is no one greater. The passage speaks of when people swear by someone greater it should take away debate and end the matter. We know this doesn’t happen since people aren’t always honest. God on the other hand cannot lie. He has promised Jesus is our hope and our high priest who can enter the inner sanctuary (where we cannot go) on our behalf.
The final question: “Who is Jesus to you?” Is He God who became man who gave His life to save us? Is He your only hope and anchor for your soul, firm and secure? Is He your Savior and Lord, your perfect High Priest forever who deserves your worship? Or is He just some meaningless name you swear by?