Episode 79: You Have What It Takes To Silence Your Opponents

Matthew 22:15-end; Isaiah 54:15 The pharisees, Jewish religious party, who are legalistic in nature, were looking for ways to trap Jesus in His words. They were looking for a way to trick Jesus in saying something against the law. Listen to their questions “Tell us therefore, what do You think? Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:17‬ ‭TLV‬‬ Jesus asked them “ “Then Jesus asked them, ‘Whose picture is on this coin? Whose name is on it?’” Matthew‬ ‭22:20‬ ‭EASY‬‬ They replied, “Caesar’s...” Matthew 22:21 Then he answered them wisely, “...Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:21‬ ‭NET‬‬ Jesus silenced them! Another Sect came. The Sadducees. They came of with a question of marriage after death! They cooked up a story of a woman who’s husband died, and now had to be handed over to the brother to marry her so she could bare a child in the brother’s name. The brother died also without the woman having a child. The same thing happened to all the brothers down to the seventh brother and the woman still did not bare a child for any of them. After all the predicament, the woman also died. Listen to the conversation that transpired between them and Jesus- “You teach that one day dead people will become alive again. On that day, whose wife will that woman be? She had married all seven of those brothers.’ Jesus said to the Sadducees, ‘You are wrong. This is because you do not know the Bible. And you do not know how powerful God is. One day, God will raise people up after they have died. They will become alive again. But then men and women will not marry. They will not have husbands or wives. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven. It is true that one day dead people will become alive again. You have read in the Bible about what God said to you: “I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. And I am the God of Jacob.” God is not the God of people who are dead. He is the God of people who are alive.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:28-32‬ ‭EASY‬‬ The Sadducee were left dazed! Amazed! Surprised at the answer! The Pharisees still gathered together to work out plans on how to trap Jesus. They asked Jesus to tell them what the greatest commandment is among the Ten Commandments of the law Jesus answered them - Love! “...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. “...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬ Jesus silenced his enemies! The verse that came to mind is “Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬ How did Jesus win the battle of entrapment over his enemies? He was in the spirit. He was discerning. The Bible says he perceived that behind the question is their wicked ploy! Stay in the spirit. Bask in God’s presence. Study His Word and on a daily basis, His Spirit will guide you and lead you in every circumstances. Even when the enemy comes, God will be with you to fight your battle. He will always give you the right word, right answer, prompt and dumbfounded response to your opponent’s wicked plans.