Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “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.”
His reply amazed them, and they went away.

Ease 84%, Level 4.3 [NLT]

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!

Today we hear the story that Matthew told about Jesus and some religious people called Pharisees. If you remember, they did not like Jesus. They always tried to trick him. They wanted to twist his words around to make him look like a bad man. In this story they tried to get him to speak about paying taxes. If he said it was good to pay the Roman governor, then they might say he didn't love Israel. On the other hand, if he said that it was wrong to pay the Roman governor, then they would accuse him of treason (they did this later and got him crucified).

Jesus knew what they were up to. He was too smart for them. He said they were hypocrites. That is a person who says everyone should do a good thing, but he himself does the opposite bad thing. Jesus then asked them to show a coin to him. They had to go get one. They Pharisees didn't like to carry around the coins because they had an image of Caesar on them. Lots of Romans treated Caesar like a God, and worshipped him. Well, Jesus said to them, "whose image is that on the coin?" They answered, "Caesar's". Now this is the best answer in the world. Jesus looked right at them and said, "Well, give to Caesar's what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's." Boy, that is the best answer I've ever heard. You see, the taxman came to get what Caesar had made... the money. It was ok to pay the tax to the Romans. But to worship Caesar was not ok. Only God may we worship, and never anything created. Not wood, or stone, or jewels, or money, or pictures or statues of any animals or men, not the stars or the earth, not trees or water, not angels or people. No, we must only worship the Lord our God.

Jesus' answer was so good, that the Pharisees just went away, and wouldn't say a word more to Jesus. They knew his answers were always the best. They only thing they could do was lie about what he said, and make it sound bad. There are lots of people today who lie about Jesus. They make up stuff. They take away stuff. They make Jesus to look like someone else. They do this because they are hypocrites too. Well, where can we find out the truth about Jesus? There is only one place, and that is in the Bible... the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and in Acts and Revelation. That is where the true words of Jesus are written that we can accept for sure. That is where we learn that Jesus said he was the only way into heaven, and whoever did not believe in him would die forever. He said whoever loved him and did what he commanded would live forever. So, who will you believe? The Bible, or some old Pharisee?

Farewell my friend. Be good and love Jesus, and he will bless you and give you good things.

Granddaddy

Ease 87%, Level 4.0

LESSON EXERCISES

* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story Jesus, Holy, Undefiled

Songs for Children

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Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

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