Category: 260 Devotional

¹ After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. ³ In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. ⁵ One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”⁷ The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” ⁹ And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

 

 Meditation:

1. This is Jesus’ third sign recorded by John.
2. “Do you want to get well”(v6)?  This was what Jesus asked the man who had been paralyzed for most of his life.   It might be obvious to answer “Of course!” for the man.  However, for some 38 years the paralyzed man had lived a dependent life.  If he were healed, he would have to take care of himself.  So, Jesus’ question is a penetrating one.
3. This is a question we have to ask ourselves as Christians.  Do we want Christ to heal the areas in our lives where we’ve been damaged?  Or do we want to keep feeling anger and resentment, or bitterness, or hurt and betrayal?  Too many Christians hold on tightly to the things that paralyze them spiritually.  Christ can heal us of these things.  So, do we want to be healed so that we will no longer be able to delude ourselves and cry, “My life isn’t my fault, others are to blame.”
4. So, Jesus’ question echoes on today: “Do you want to get well?”  What will be your reply?

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Who wrote the Gospel of John?  John made a point to write down seven miraculous signs performed by Jesus.  Do you still remember what the first one was?  What about the second one?  Today’s passage tells us the third one.  What do you think of Jesus when you saw all these signs Jesus did?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:4-7

⁴ A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.  ⁵ He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.  ⁶ Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  ⁷ The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

⁴³ After the two days he departed for Galilee. ⁴⁴ (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) ⁴⁵ So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.

⁴⁶ So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. ⁴⁷ When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. ⁴⁸ So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” ⁴⁹ The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. ⁵¹ As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. ⁵² So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.”⁵³ The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. ⁵⁴ This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.

Meditation

1. When the anxious father came, Jesus seemed quite indifferent and said to the father: “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders you will never believe.”   And when the father asked Jesus again, Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”
2. This is the dilemma of faith.  God, in response to our desperate appeals, speaks to us and says, “It’s done.  Go home and you’ll find the sick healed.”  Faith is very much the same.  We come to God desperate for salvation.  And all He said is, “you may go.”  The work is done, your healing accomplished.  And, though we lack evidence, in faith, we walk away as Jesus said.
3. Reflect: When you bring your problem to God, do you tend to accept his word or keep fretting and fussing?   Do you actually live out your life in a way that demonstrates that you really believe God is in control and wants the best for you?   Talk to God about this and listen to His response.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask:  In v54, it says this was the second miraculous sign Jesus performed.  What was the first sign?  Refer to Ch 2’s devotion if nobody remembers.  Discuss what miraculous sign means, has anyone seen a sign yet?  What was the result of this sign (vv51-53)?  Do such miraculous signs still happen?  Share and conclude by thanking God for showing His power and His love for people in need.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:1-3

¹ A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.  ² Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.  ³ The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Meditation:

1. Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
2. Slowly read through the passage twice.
3. As you read this passage, what is the word or phrase that touches you today as you read and meditate on this passage? What is your emotion as you read this word or phrase? How is that related to your current situation? What do you think God is trying to tell you?  What does God tell you to do?
4. Prayer: Talk to God about both the phrases that confused you and those that really captivated you.
5. Memorize vv16-17.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Begin by reciting together John 3:16.  Ask each family member which word in the verse means the most and why.  After everyone has shared, sing: “O, How I Love Jesus.”  Recite the verse again in unison.  Ask one person to thank God for Jesus Christ.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 9:13-18

¹³ The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.  ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, ¹⁵ calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”  And to him who lacks sense she says, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”  ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

¹ On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. ³ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

⁶ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.⁷ Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. ⁹ When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”¹¹ This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

¹² After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

¹³ The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. ¹⁵ And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

 

 Meditation:

1. Jesus, in the first incident (vv1-11), miraculously transformed water into wine bringing joy and blessing to an otherwise would-be-embarrassed groom and displayed His glory. Miraculous signs serve as pointers to God’s glory and entries to belief.  It reveals to us that loving and all-wise God in Jesus is still at work in his creation.
2. In the second event (vv13-17), Jesus purified the temple.  He drove out corruption and insisted that the worship of God be holy and clean.
3. He does this in our lives too.  As He transforms He cleanses, until, purified, we exhibit a holiness which is appropriate to those who worship and honour God.  The transforming and purifying ministry of Christ is costly.  The price of our renewal was the sacrificial death of God’s unique and only Son.
4. Reflect on.  What have you noticed of God’s transforming and purifying work in your life lately?  How did you respond to it?

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Play out either or both of the events in this passage.  Discuss the problems, emotions, and solution (result).  Paraphrase Q#3 to the children level.  Ask if anyone have noticed God’s working in his/her life lately.  End with a prayer of commitment.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 9:10-12

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.  ¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.  ¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ¹⁵ (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

 

Meditation:

1. John opens his Gospel with a hymn of praise to Christ. It is one of the most profound passages in all the Bible written in simple, straightforward language, yet in studying the depths of its meaning, it is a passage where we never reach bottom.
2. Read over this passage a few times taking the time to let everything sink in. What strikes you the most in the passage?
3. John tells us that Jesus, the Word of God, is the one through whom we hear God’s voice.  He is the One in whom we meet God and welcome God into our lives.  The life Christ offers us shines in our world as a bright light.  Like a beacon to a lost traveler, the light shining in Jesus offers all men hope, not only hope for life after death, but hope for a rich and meaningful life here and now.
4. When it says “and dwelt among us” (v14) , how does that make you feel? What would your life be like if God moved to your street or shared the workspace with you?  How would the environment of your neighbourhood be different if God had moved in? How might your life be different?
5. Meditate on these words “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (vv4-5)

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Gather your family in a totally dark room.  Light a single candle.  Read vv4-5.  Point out how much light one candle provides in complete darkness.  What did John mean when he said “that life (Jesus) was the light of men”?  As your candle burns in the dark room, react to John’s statement, “The darkness has not understood it”.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 9:7-9

⁷ Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.  ⁸ Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.  ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

¹³Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶but they were kept from recognizing him.  ¹⁷He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”  They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  ¹⁹“What things?” he asked.  “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²²In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”  ²⁵He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  ²⁸As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.  ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Meditation:

1. How many times have we lurched with broken spirits because the unexpected seized the place of the expected and that with a wrenching disappointment?  In such moods even if what was expected comes to us, we cannot see it.  It is unrecognizable to our pain and our splintered hopes and wishes.  The two disciples saw it when Jesus broke the bread and blessed it.  Their hearts began to burn.
2. So we too can be surprised and blessed by the God who is expected, but rarely appears where and when and how we imagine.  It is God’s way to come disguised.  It is his way to come when the storm is peaking or fear deepest or when hope is almost gone or, if we are honest, utterly gone.  It has always been his way.  No resurrection without Golgotha.  No freedom without Gethsemane.
3. Tell it all to Jesus, all the heartaches, broken spirit, dashed expectations.  Then, wait quietly for God’s whispering and His hidden cloaked work.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:  Play a game of “Blind man’s bluff” for 5 min.  Discuss what being blind means.  Ask, “is it also possible even though we can see but sometimes we don’t see the things in front of us?”    That’s what happened to these two disciples.  How did they see finally?  What did they see?  How did they feel then?  What did they do afterward?

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 9:4-6

⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

 

²⁶As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. ²⁸Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. ²⁹For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ ³⁰Then ” ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ‘ ³¹For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  ³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.  ³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”  ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”  ³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  ⁴³Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus bore much suffering on the cross and the road to follow Christ is one of the cross.  We must be prepared to suffer and even to die just as Jesus did.  Are you afraid?  Will you continue to go on this road?
2. Just before his death, Jesus prayed and asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  Come to think of it, isn’t your attitude toward Jesus similar to those people that day, rebellious, neglecting, even rejecting Him?  Indeed, you were among the crowd putting Jesus to death.  So, Jesus’ prayer has included forgiveness for you, the sinner.
3. Continue to meditate on this thought.  Afterward, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:  Here Jesus, while on the cross, asked forgiveness for those crucifying him.  Discuss what it means to forgive.  Which is more difficult: to ask for forgiveness or to forgive?  Compare the way God forgives us with the way we forgive others.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 9:1-3

¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. ² She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. ³ She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,

¹⁴When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”  ¹⁷After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. ¹⁸For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  ¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  ²⁰In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. ²²The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” ²³They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Meditation:

1. The actions of the Lord’s Supper – taking, giving thanks, breaking, and giving – are actions that those who eat the meal receive from the Lord as gifts of grace.  Communion is a memorial, a remembrance.  It’s an experience as we return, through the bread and cup that represent the body and blood of Jesus, to the foot of the cross.  In the communion service we are united with Christ through faith to share His death and His resurrection and to experience the awesome moment when our salvation was accomplished.
2. What does sharing in Communion mean to you?  What do you think about during communion?
3. Prayer:  Oh, Lord, forgive me for I have often neglected your word and didn’t obey your commands.  When I participate in the communion, I was unmoved by your death.  Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful love.  You paid a terrific price for my freedom.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: The Lord’s Supper (communion) is a central moment in Christian worship.  Ask the family to tell what each knows about the Lord’s Supper’s meaning.  Explain the meaning of “bread” and “cup”.  Sing hymns about Jesus death and resurrection.  Plan a time when the family can celebrate the supper together.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 8:32-36

³² “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. ³³ Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. ³⁴ Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, ³⁶ but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. ²⁷At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  ²⁹He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. ³⁰When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. ³¹Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  ³²“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  ³⁴“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. ³⁵For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Meditation:

1. Jesus recites a list of persecutions and disasters that are to come.  Then he said, “stand up and lift up your heads (ie.  don’t be frightened)” because this means that Messiah is coming back soon.  He will rule the earth with righteousness and peace.
2. Jesus told his disciples to be alert to wait for His coming back.  Though it’s been 2,000 years, it’s still true, He is coming soon.  We need to be prepared to welcome Him, to accomplish His commands faithfully and not get lost in drinking, eating and entertainment.  Nor should we be crushed under the heavy weight of worries for our lives.
3. What do the numerous disasters in recent years have to do with Jesus’ words in this passage?  Are you waiting for Christ’s return with hope and anticipation?  Or are you afraid of what’s happening in the world?  If you truly believe that Christ is coming back soon, what does this fact change your daily life?  “God, please help me to be alert in preparation for your return.”

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Name some of the big happenings in the world in the past year. (tsunami, earthquake, war, famine, etc.)  What does Jesus tell his disciples what would happen when he comes back again?  What do you think of Jesus’ coming?  Is there anything you want to do so that you may be prepared for Jesus?  (Parents, be sensitive to your children’s reaction.  In needed, talk to them individually and lead them in salvation prayer if appropriate.)

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 8:27-31

²⁷ When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, ²⁸ when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, ²⁹ when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, ³⁰     then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, ³¹ rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

¹⁹The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. ²⁰Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²²Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  ²³He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”  ²⁵“Caesar’s,” they replied.   He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”  ²⁶They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Meditation:

1. Jesus explained here that the demands of the state and the demands of God are not the same.  He suggests it is possible to meet both at the same time, but he never suggests that obeying one is exactly the same as obeying the other.  In fact, very soon, obedience to God would mean disobedience to the Roman emperor.  The early church has defied the Jewish authorities, “We must obey God rather than any human authority” (Acts 5:29).
2. On the demand of the state of personal income tax, and the demand of tithing and offering for God’s church, how obedient are you?
3. In giving yourself to God, areyou in the 15%, 30%, 50% or 100% “tax bracket”?

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Jesus was constantly being challenged by the teachers of the law and the chief priests.  Their question on paying taxes to Caesar was another attempt to trap Jesus so they could discredit him in front of the people.  Discuss as a family the meaning of Jesus’ answer.  How do people make fun of you?  What can be done about it in the spirit of Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 8:25-26

²⁵ Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, ²⁶ before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.