Truth Cannot Be Trapped

Matthew 22:15-21

October 24, 1999

Goal: That the hearer live with truthful motives as a coin stamped with the image of God.

What is Truth? Pontius Pilate asked Jesus this question and, in fact, we all ask, “What is truth?” Some think “truth” is only what can be scientifically verified. Others believe there is no truth except what can be known through personal experience. Personally, I believe there is such a thing as absolute truth that is verifiable and a part of our experience. Perhaps Jesus says it better this way: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Jesus’ demonstration of truth is seen when He has to deal with people who think they alone possess truth. The truth to them is that Jesus is a deceiver, a blasphemer of God, and a troublemaker who needs to be unmasked. They are people who send others to do their dirty work. Sadly, I think we identify with them in a way we would not like to know. This is what I mean. Like them, We do not always act with truthful motives. Sometimes we might succeed in hiding our innermost thoughts and desires from others, and maybe even from ourselves, but it is not possible to hide them from God.

But this is a good thing. Jesus provides the way for us to overcome the traps of false desires and wrong intents. He provides the way for us so that we may walk with Him in spirit and in truth. So we thank God that Truth Cannot Be Trapped.

The truth about ourselves cannot be trapped in secrecy from God. If you are familiar with the Genesis story of Cain and Abel, you know that both men gave an offering to God. However, Cain’s was rejected but Abel’s accepted by God. Why the difference? Was it motives? I think so. We do not know exactly what Cain’s motives were. But, we do know that his was a faithless offering that could not please God even though he tried to make it appear that he wanted to please God.

Consider also the reasons of three people who each give a $1,000 to their church—one for a tax break, one for political control in the church, and one who gives it as a thank offering. Which do you suppose pleases God?

God knows our heart. We need not be afraid of Him, however. He brings us help and hope in a new reality of life. He even helps us to pray as the repentant Psalmist who asks of God, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Because God is real and able to help those in need, who call upon His name, the words Paul speaks to the Thessalonians can also be applied to us. “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Sprit.”

The point is this. Because The truth about ourselves cannot be trapped in secrecy from God, we can be lead out of our deceit and dishonesty into God’s truth.

The truth about God’s love cannot be trapped in silence. The goal of the religiously proud people was to silence Jesus. So they send their followers along with some Herodians to Jesus to try to trap him in his words. The former hated the Roman government and the taxes levied on them while the latter loved the Roman rule. No matter how Jesus answers the question, “Is it right to pay taxes to Ceasar or not?” He will be trapped in a dilemma of supporting one or the other. So, in their deceit, they start by flattering Jesus.

The description they give is true, but spoken without conviction. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.” Sounds good, but Jesus is not taken in by their fine sounding flattery. He knew their evil intent and hypocrisy. My friends, when we speak of our faith in Jesus Christ, is it with true conviction of heart, or only a show to cover up our unbelieving motives?

Before you answer, look at Jesus as he reaches out to these hypocrites in love. Because evil does not always see itself for what it is, Jesus, by using their own coin, holds up a mirror, if you will, to reveal their real motives. In this way, He opens the door and the way of repentance and faith. In omniscient majesty, He minces no words to speak the truth of what they are doing. “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?” Then he asks for a coin that is used to pay taxes. “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” Of course, the coin bore the image and inscription of its maker, Ceasar. The point is this, they also bear the image of their maker in their hearts. When Jesus says, “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and to God what is God’s,” He is reflecting the image they bear. It is not of God.

Yet, there is a deeper purpose involved in this event. God is using these faithless religious people to fulfill His plan. You see, a spotless lamb without defect must be chosen for the sacrifice. Jesus came as the spotless Lamb of God. Through this episode He is examined publicly and found to be without fault. It would happen again, and again.

Jesus indeed would go to the cross to satisfy the debt and punishment for sin, even the sin of these faithless people. Jesus goes to the tree that His image may be implanted on them through repentant faith. He is crucified. He dies. He is buried. He is raised the third day that His image might also be in us. The truth about God’s love cannot be trapped in silence. Jesus only speaks the truth in love. Jesus has given himself to reveal that love to us, in us, and through us. We need not silence such pure motives as His through unbelief.

The truth of God’s call to serve him cannot be trapped in sluggishness. Do we not bear His image? Did God not come to touch us through the water and word of holy baptism? Indeed, He did! Did God not promise us His Holy Spirit whereby we are enabled to call on His name in truth? Indeed, He did. Did God not promise to forgive and purify us through His own Body and Blood? Indeed, He did! My dear friends, through faith in Christ Jesus, we bear the immaculate image of Christ Himself. Listen to this, “If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” No wonder Paul could make this astounding claim: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Consider also God’s word of truth given to us through the prophet Ezekiel: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Indeed, O Lord, let the clear inscription be, Jesus crucified for me. Let’s sing hymn 100 one more time.