What Jesus Did! 'Amazed!' — Luke 20:20-26

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us — is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

He saw through their trickery and said, "Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

"Well then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.

— Luke 20:20-26 NLT

Key Thought

Isn't it interesting that Jesus' public ministry is ending very similarly to the way it began - with people being amazed at his teaching? [1] The smartest and the best tried to trap him in social and religious conflict. [2] But, Jesus' answers were not only wise; they were also true. Seek your answers in him, and let him silence your doubts and answer the questions of your heart.

[1] Mark 1:21-22.
[2] For example, Matthew 16:1-4, 19:3-8, 22:23-30; Luke 11:53-54; John 8:3-11.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, please help me find my answers in Jesus as I seek your truth. In his name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

Watch Out — Word Games Are Often Mind Traps
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
""Well then," [Jesus] said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." So they failed to trap him by what he said....."
'The Last Straw'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, After My triumphal entry, Jerusalem was a tangle of tension and evil plotting. Look at a few excerpts from Luke's descriptions of the...."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 20:20-26 NLT — "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, November 18, 2023

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Proverbs 1:33
"Divine love is rendered conspicuous when it shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'The Urgency of Living Patiently'
"Dear Precious One, In the verses I want to share with you today, James teaches you about the urgency of living patiently. Let Me explain what he..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Word Comes by the Spirit' (Zc. 7:12)
"[After the return of the people of Judah from Babylon, this is what the Lord said about them,] "They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!