September 28, 2016

DO WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IS OURS TO GIVE TO GOD?

Luke 20:19–40

Travis Latz
Wednesday's Devo

September 28, 2016

Wednesday's Devo

September 28, 2016

Central Truth

Our mind, body, and spirit should be given over to God because we are made in His image. We have been designed to share the gospel and spread the good news in a loving way that honors God and shows compassion.

Key Verse | Luke 20:24–25

"Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" They said, "Caesar’s." He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." (Luke 20:24-25)

Luke 20:19–40

Paying Taxes to Caesar

19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, 1 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. 2 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection

27 There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, 28 and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man 3 20:28 Greek his brother must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons 4 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.” 39 Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him any question.

Footnotes

[1] 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
[2] 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
[3] 20:28 Greek his brother
[4] 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface

Dive Deeper | Luke 20:19–40

I feel like there should have been an epic mic drop when Jesus responded to the Pharisees' adverse questioning. He took a hostile group of men who were trying to make Him stumble and destroy His credibility, and He very quickly silenced them. 

The Pharisees expected any answer Jesus gave to be wrong—He would either be an enemy of the Roman Empire or would be a heretic. So when He replied in Luke 20:25 with, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He, in one brief response, shut down their aggression and reaffirmed that we are ultimately God's and subject to God’s rule. He said that we should, however, respect local authority even as we give over our mind, body, and spirit to the Lord.

My daily focus has shifted from "what does Travis want?" to "what is God placing on my heart today?" Living for myself is exhausting. Always wanting control is tiring. That doesn’t mean I always listen to what God is telling me, but I recognize His authority and see that there is life in giving myself over wholly to Him. Once we accept Christ as our authority, we will start to understand that every thought we have and each breath we are given are tools from God that should be used to further His kingdom. 

Romans 13:1 affirms what Jesus is teaching us here. It says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” That last part hits me more than anything. Anytime I want to point out someone else’s flaws, especially in government, I am reminded of my ongoing story of grace and am humbled really quickly. Who am I to think I know more than God does? Hasn’t this person been put here for a reason? Some may disagree with the leadership of government, and that’s okay when it’s biblically backed. However, it is also our job as Christians to lovingly share the gospel with our governing authorities through our words and actions. 

Discussion Questions

1. Is there a specific area of your life that you are wrestling with giving over to God? What is it?

2. Is there value behind praying for members of our governing bodies? Do you do this? 

3. What is stopping you from giving God authority over your life?