The Trap
Mark 12:13-27
Don't you love the way people approach you when planning to set a trap for you?
Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash
Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it." And they brought one. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were utterly amazed at him. Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her." Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong." - Mark 12:13-27
We know you are sincere and show deference to no one.
Here it comes.
This tactic only works when the person being set up is among followers or believers in his or her work. It is the type of thing someone would do at a party in your honor or at a special event.
It's so good to see you. I have heard so many wonderful things about you. But...
This is where some rumor of an embarrassing event in your life comes up.
Is it true that...
How do you explain that something you said or did is being taken out of context? How can you prepare yourself for such an attack, one that seems so sincere and honest?
We read how Jesus wiggles his way out of these potential disasters and we applaud him for being so clever. If only we were that smart and quick.
Usually we come up with the right thing to say later, after everyone is gone and we have a chance to think it over and over in our minds.
Then, the brilliance shines. Of course, we say to ourselves. That would have been the perfect response.
Why don't we have these things ready when we need them?
Jesus avoids trap after trap partly because he knows they will be coming. He knows there are people out there who want him to fail, so he is prepared.
It's a terrible way to live, isn't it? To be constantly on the defensive in need a good offense?
The lesson for us, I think, is this. The more we choose to be like him, to be good and honest and considerate and loving, the more we will attract those who would like to trap us.
He warned his followers they will be persecuted because of him.
They is us.
More to come...