Are you an inquisitive person? Do you ask lots of questions? Do you ask irrelevant questions? Is the person who asks tons of questions an annoyance to you? Do you get frustrated with all the questions?
We’ve heard the saying, “There is no bad question.” That statement is typically stated in a classroom and within the context of asking a question about the material being taught. Yet, we have all heard people ask questions in classrooms that have nothing to do with the class.
What does that mean to us? There are irrelevant questions. For example, assume you are in a class on American history. Why would anyone ask a question about a recipe for baked chicken? This paradigm works in our daily lives as well. Notice the question being asked of Jesus in today’s passage.
The Jewish teachers of the law and chief priests sent spies to keep an eye on Jesus. They were to report what they saw and heard. Evidently, they took it upon themselves to attempt to trip Him up. Based on the question, we can also assume they were hoping to make themselves look good to their employers. We might call it brown nosing.
You see, the leaders of the synagogue had gotten involved in politics. They weren’t focused on worshiping God like they should. They were either in negotiation with the Romans or they were striving to appease the Romans. Neither was to edify the people nor worshiping God. They didn’t want Jesus to rock the boat they had gotten into.
We know the answer Jesus gave. Ultimately, He said to “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Luke 20:25). What did He mean? If the government or an employer requires you to perform a task, then do it. Yet, at the same time, give your heart to God.
I believe we too often forget this principle. We ask God questions about whether it is right to do something we are told to do by someone who is in authority over us. We don’t want to do it and hope God will tell us we don’t have to. Jesus made no bones about it. He said to obey those put in authority over us in this life. He also said to give God our hearts.
If our motive is hoping God will tell us we don’t have to obey the laws and rules of government or employment, we are asking an irrelevant question. Jesus has already given us the answer. That doesn’t mean we aren’t to give God our hearts nor that we shouldn’t pray for change. We can do both and be all the more obedient to God.
I pray we all choose to obey. I pray we choose to see the answers Jesus has given us. I pray each one of us stops asking irrelevant questions. Know Jesus’ teachings. Understand Jesus’ teachings. Obey God. Do as Jesus taught. Give God your heart. Pray for change while obeying.
Luke 20:21-22 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Marty Pressey 