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Position:Home>Books & Authors> What is this passage trying to explain?Question: What is this passage trying to explain!? I'm doing a reflection for these two gospels for school and I don't get what the gospel is trying to say!. Please write an explanation of the gospel and a real life experience that relates to the gospel!.
Matthew 22: 15-22 http://www!.biblegateway!.com/passage/!?sea!.!.!. Matthew 22: 34-46 http://www!.biblegateway!.com/passage/!?sea!.!.!. Thank you soo much for your answers!! Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In the first passage, the Pharisees (Jesus' enemies) try to trick Jesus into saying something treasonous against the civil government, but 1) He can see right through their flattery and false sincerity to their real intentions, and 2) He gave a wise answer, saying that it's OK to pay taxes to a worldly government, even one as evil as the 1st century Roman Empire, because all you're giving them is worldly stuff, i!.e!., money!. Applications: 1) There's someone at my job who's always complimenting me excessively!. I need to be on my guard with her because she's just flattering me to get me to do stuff for her!. 2) I pay my taxes without worrying or complaining too much!. Who cares if the government gets too much of my money as long as Jesus has all of my heart!? *** In the second passage there are two pericopes (sections): 1) This time the Sadducees (another party of Jesus' enemies) are trying to trick Him!. They ask Him what's the most important commandment out of the 600+ laws in the Old Testament!. Again, He answers wisely, saying not only that loving God and loving other people are the most important, but that all the rest of the commandments are included in these two!. Application: When I'm wondering what to do in a given situation, I may not be able to find a specific rule in Scripture to follow, but if I seek wisdom from God, and ask Him to show me what would be the best way to show love for Him and for others, I will usually be able to figure out what to do!. Often it will not be the easiest thing, but it will be the best!. 2) Jesus now tries to stump His enemies with a tough question, and He succeeds because they don't recognize that *He* is the answer to the question -- Jesus, in His human nature, is the descendant of David, but in His Divine nature, He is also David's Lord!. Application (and this fits all of the text you listed): Don't try to outsmart Jesus!. I usually do this when I want to be disobedient or unfaithful, and I try to make some lame excuse for my sin or unbelief!. If I acknowledge Jesus as my Lord, then He shows me that I'm lying to myself and that I haven't fooled Him one bit!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |