Questions

Today's Verses -- Luke 20:20-26

Context:
Jesus' final days before the crucifixion. He's been regularly showing the Pharisees how ungodly they were in subtle and not so subtle ways.

Text:
20Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21So 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. 22Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24"Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
25"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

It is so clear to me that the Pharisees had no idea who Jesus really was -- sending spies who pretended to be honest? Come on -- the Son of God could easily see through that! I wonder if he just shook his head, or even smiled a little when he saw these poor fools sauntering up to him. Did he wonder, "Is that the best they've got? They just don't get it!"

Can't you see it now -- the chief priests and teachers of the law meeting in a secret place trying to come up with questions that would trap Jesus? I'm sure they thought there was no possible answer for this one that didn't break either the Roman law or cause his faithful followers to be disappointed by his agreement to continue paying tax to extortioners.

But God always has a right answer -- and it's usually beyond the foresight of mere humans.

How often do we ask God questions, especially tough ones that we can't possibly comprehend the answers to? Such as 'why do good people have to suffer?' 'why didn't you make me ....(rich, beautiful, smart, whole, taller, talented, you fill in the blank)?', and 'how come I can't have ..... (again, fill in the blank)...so and so does and he doesn't appreciate it'.

I imagine he smiles a little and shakes his head at our ignorance. He may see these questions in the same manner as he saw the questions of those trying to trap him. No matter what he answers, we won't think it's fair. We can't begin to comprehend the big picture from Heaven's side of the universe, and until we walk through those pearly gates we will just have to trust that he is right.

Do you trust him when life doesn't make any sense?