Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 226

August 12;     Matthew 22:22;     22/260(III);     ‘Give Them the Word’

Matthew 22:22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

The religious leaders, as always, were trying to catch Jesus in what He said, so that could feel justified for killing Him.  Based on what the Lord Jesus said and did, the religious leaders had to know that He was the Son of God.  They wanted Jesus out of the way because they were jealous of Jesus.  Think of the eternal decision these foolish leaders were making, if they knew who Jesus was and still were going to kill Him.  Jealousy will destroy you. It surely seems like it did them.  In this passage of scripture the Pharisees tried to get Jesus to speak treasonously by asking Him about paying taxes.  Jesus asked them whose inscription was on the coin that they showed Him.  They told Jesus it was Caesar’s inscription.  Then Jesus told them to give to Caesar what was his and to the Lord what was His.  The words of Jesus stopped them ‘cold’.  Jesus is the Word of God and when we know and speak the Word of God, it has an incredible impact.  Anyone can give you their opinion or religious information.  That does little or nothing.  When we purpose in our heart to share the Word of God with others whenever we can, the impact of what we say will greatly increase.  We are not to use the Word to ‘hammer’ others, but to calmly and confidently share truth with them.  They may mock it or try to refute it, but because it is the Word of God, it always makes an impression on them.  What an honor to share the eternal truths of God’s Word.  The Bible teaches that the Word of God never returns void.  It always makes an impression.  As a Christian purpose in your heart to know the Word and then share it with them.