"Tricky Words, Tricky Questions In The Temple”

In Jesus Holy Name October 22, 2023

Text: Matthew 22:15-23 Redeemer

“Tricky Words, Tricky Questions In the Temple”

Benjamin Franklin has often been quoted as saying, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Many have figured out ways to get out of paying taxes, legal or otherwise, but no one has yet been able to avoid the certainty of death. The more important question is: “What is beyond death on this planet?” “Is there hope for something more?” The answer of course is “yes”.

In these days of international turmoil, when anxiety runs high, and the future is unknown. Questions are asked. “Are these the days our world history will come to an end?” For the answers, one must look at Jesus, then listen to God’s plan, then understand the Book of Revelation.

Each Sunday we have been reading through the Gospel of Matthew. We have arrived at chapter 21 & 22. The Palm Sunday parade is over. Jesus has been teaching in the temple courts. He has told countless parables.

On the “second day” of “Holy Week” when Jesus enters the temple, He drove out the money changers reminding them that God’s house, His house, was meant to be a house of prayer, not a bank. He has thrown out the money changers. The Sadducees, were in charge of the Temple which made them a great deal of money. They had a vested interest in keeping the racket going. The Sadducees and the Herodians didn’t always agree with the Pharisees but they all knew Jesus was a threat.

Each day of “holy Week” Jesus frustrates the priests and Sadducees by telling parables: the first one is the Parable of the Two Sons, and the second is the Parable of the Vineyard. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet which Pastor Jim shared last Sunday.

The parable of the wedding was really about the “final” banquet in heaven when the King of kings ends human history so that all who have received His Son, Jesus, the promised Messiah will celebrate in heaven. It is obvious that God is inviting the Scribes, the Pharisees, The Sadducees to rejoice and accept Jesus as the long-expected Messiah.

All three groups got together and plotted how they would trap Jesus. They used tricky words and tricky questions, about money, about marriage and one by a lawyer about the greatest commandment. The greatest commandment provides the answer of how we are to live in difficult days as we watch evil and chaos explode on our television screens. We can see what “human” hate does to people and nations.

In reading the stories of Jesus in the temple during the last week of His earthly life, we must understand how much they hated Him. I you see the results of hate on your TV screen in the mid-east then you must translate the same hatred of Jesus by the Pharisees, and Sadducees and Herodians. They must rid the world of Him.

They begin with questions to trick Jesus. First is about taxes, 2nd is about marriage in heaven, by Sadducees who don’t believe in the resurrection, and then the final question comes from men who loved the scriptures more than the Sadducees, men who debated which of the 248 commandments and the 365 prohibition in their Pentateuch was the most important. A Pharisee, an expert in the “law’ asked: “Teacher which is the greatest commandment?”

(divide the church into three groups Herodians…support Rome; Sadducees control the money in the temple and don’t believe in the resurrection; Pharisees believe you can earn God’s love by obeying the commandments and rules) (each side of the church plays a part)

Herodians: Do you like taxes? ____ But taxes pay for your protection, the Roman army. You need safety, they provide it so…. You pay them. Taxes can be frustrating. In their frustration with Jesus they tried to trap Him with tax issues. They are becoming more and more frustrated. They were angry at Jesus. They know His recent parables are about them. But they were afraid of the people.

(read Matthew 22:16-21) (Need a Silver dollar)

Money is simply a neutral medium of exchange, neither good nor bad. But money is never morally neutral; it always reflects someone’s values in the way it is used. The image on the small silver coin acceptable for imperial tax payments, was probably that of Tiberius Caesar (reigned A.D. 14-37). The inscription upon the coin read ‘Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus’ with the reverse side reading ‘Chief Priest.’ This inscription was a claim to divinity and as emperor, the right to be worshiped. So you Herodians have no problem giving your worship to the government? ____

Sadducees are next: (middle) You love the temple? Yes? You want to protect the holiness of God. Yes? Therefore you should refused to accept donations to the temple with Roman coins. People who wanted to give their tithe at the temple should change their Roman money into Jewish money. Yes? Of course a fee was charged. Question do you charge a fee?