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Luke-20

The Liar's Trap: A Devotional Study on Luke 20​

Introduction​

The events in Luke 20 illustrate the religious leaders' effort to trap and accuse Jesus. They come before Him with a series of questions, hoping to catch Him in a compromising position. However, the tried-and-true schemes of the Pharisees and Sadducees fail to ensnare Jesus, and instead, He uses their own words against them. As we explore this passage, let's reflect on the nature of lies, the power of truth, and our own responsibility to uphold biblical virtue.

Section 1: The Question about Paying Taxes (Luke 20:1-8)​

Devotional Thought: The religious leaders ask Jesus whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. Seizing the opportunity to divide the crowd, they hoped to either expose Jesus as an enemy of the empire or as a traitor to the Jewish people. While Jesus recognizes the trap, He responds with truth. He reveals the image of Caesar on the coin, exponentially exposing the hypocrisy of these religious leaders who have always failed to recognize the image of God in all human beings.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do we use lies to manipulate situations or people?
  • In what ways do we fail to see the image of God in others, thereby resorting to hatred, prejudice, or deception?
  • How can we uphold biblical virtue, choosing to respond to challenging circumstances with honesty, tact, and faithfulness to God's Word?

Section 2: The Question about the Resurrection (Luke 20:27-40)​

Devotional Thought: The Sadducees posed a tricky question to Jesus, asking whether there is resurrection. Their banter serves as an attempt to irrefutably prove that the Sadducees’ belief system is correct. Jesus refutes their error-plagued logic, calling them fools. He subsequently reveals that God is the God of the living, not the dead-- a profound statement that upholds the power of truth in the face of lies.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do we allow lies to mislead us, even for seemingly valid reasons or beliefs?
  • In what ways do we need to hold on to God's truth, no matter how challenging or counter-intuitive it may seem?
  • How can we be vigilant and expose the lies of others, while maintaining Christian love and compassion?

Section 3: The Question about David's Son (Luke 20:41-44)​

Devotional Thought: The Pharisees ask Jesus whether the Christ would be David's son. They subtly suggest that Jesus might be attempting to overthrow King Herod as the son of David. Jesus's reply reveals that the Christ is indeed David's son and also David's Lord. Jesus reorganizes the tree, revealing that His character is much richer and more substantial.

Reflection Questions:

  • How do we neglect to appreciate the richness of God's character, reducing it to mere components of His nature?
  • In what ways do we need to take a look at God's character with truth and awe, recognizing the entirety of who He is?
  • How can we strive to uphold Jesus' character by advocating and emulating the Christ-like qualities that He displayed during His earthly sojourn?

Conclusion:​

As we conclude our devotional journey through Luke 20, let's observe Jesus' unwavering fidelity to the truth. He emphatically rejects the lure of lies, boldly unveiling the glaring inconsistencies and fallacies of error-prone beliefs. May we draw a parallel between our daily lives and Jesus' witnessing as we choose to honor, respect, and uphold truth amidst falsehoods.