It's Not Easter (3)

Ok we have already know that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a "Foal" (Matthew says Foal, Mark & Luke say a Donkey and John says a Donkey's Colt). Exodus Chapter 12 talks about the Israelites needed to take a lamb on the 10th of each month (Lamb Selection Day) and that they need to be without defect and they are to hold them until the 14th of the month when they are to be slaughtered. Let's focus on the inspections process. Exodus 12:5 says that they need to be without defect, blemishes, marks or disease. For the next several days we read about Jesus being in the temple and teaching others and answering questions put to HIM (examining the Lamb). One set of verses I want to focus on is MT 22 regarding paying taxes to Caesar.
Mt 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. There are a several clues in these verses that I have learned and I will show them to you.
#1. The biggest point here is that the Jews hate the Romans with a passion
#2. Caesar is considered God
#3. They are in the Temple Courts and Jesus asks them for a coin and what kind of a coin is given to them? A denarius, a Roman coin which is NOT allowed in the Temple.
#4. He asks them whose portrait and whose inscription? Notice how only the first question is answered. And what is Jesus' reply? "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Jesus just declared himself to be God right there in that statement. And saying that anybody else is God is comparable to treason.

It is now Passover time


The Lord’s Supper

Mt 26:17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ”

More on this next time, so stay tuned!