Life is full of questions. Before we fully understand the concept of questions, we are asked them. From the time we begin talking we start asking questions. "A penny for your thoughts?"
The motives behind the questions are just as important as the questions themselves. I remember a story of a little boy who had asked his mother what sex was. After a rather tenuous answer, the little boy held up a t-ball registration form and pointed to the word with an F and an M beside it. "What do I put here?"
When Christ was on the earth He was asked many questions. Will you heal me? Are you the Messiah? Some people were sincere in their questions. Others were not.
There was a time He was asked a question by spies. These deceitful men pretended to be righteous.
Luke 20:20-26- And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Christ knew that these men wanted to use His words against Him. He knew the force that drove them to ask this particular question. Knowing the motive behind the question helped Him to use wisdom in His answer.
This question was meant to be a trap. They thought that Christ would be against the government. They didn't know that Christ was there to fulfill the law. He wasn't against Jewish Law or Roman Rule.
Matthew 17:24-27- And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
The passage above shows us that Christ paid His taxes. There are many Christians out there today that say that they are serving the Lord while committing tax evasion. They cite that the tax laws aren't legal. I guess the whole "going to jail" part gets ignored.
Even though Christ's words of wisdom helped Him answer their question flawlessly, they still accused Him of tax evasion!
Luke 23:2- And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Life is full of offenses. We shouldn't try to offend the world just for the sake of a fight. We shouldn't be offended by the world, either. We are suppose to live peaceably while we are here. Like Christ, when we are asked a question we should know enough Scriptures, and be close enough to God that men will marvel at our answers. Our replies should lead others to the truth of God's Word.
