Lures, Allure, and Value

I like to fish…

But what gets the fish into trouble is mistaking the counterfeit for the real deal.

“All bait and no hook” is a saying that points to a temptation that doesn’t have any consequences. That really doesn’t exist!

The bait is what the fish sees. The hook is there to keep ‘em from escaping. But that’s not the real problem. The real problem is the line that pulls them to the fisherman.

And that’s the subject today. Recognizing these elements, and responding to them well.

Pray

Mark 12:13–17 ESV

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.

The Pharisees Set The Bait

v. 14

The lure of deception.

The allure of flattery.

The trap of false values.

Jesus Finds The Hook

v. 15

He sees the deception.

He disarms the attack.

He teaches clarity and integrity.