On scribes and Pharisees:
Matthew 23:4
King James Version
4 For they bind heavy burdens
and grievous to be borne,
and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them
with one of their fingers.
JESUS sought the lost.
And the sinful.
He was here for them.
He plucked Matthew from his old job.
Matthew 9:9
King James Version
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence,
he saw a man, named Matthew,
sitting at the receipt of custom:
and he saith unto him,
Follow me.
And he arose,
and followed him.
JESUS was a natural magnet for everyday folks.
Matthew 9:10
King James Version
10 And it came to pass,
as Jesus sat at meat in the house,
behold,
many publicans and sinners came
and sat down with him and his disciples.
Of course, his enemies disapproved of all that.
Matthew 9:11
King James Version
11 And when the Pharisees saw it,
they said unto his disciples,
Why eateth your Master with publicans
and sinners?
JESUS overheard, and replied:
Matthew 9:12-13
King James Version
12 But when Jesus heard that,
he said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician,
but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth,
I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:
for I am not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.
At another time, they trap Him again.
Matthew 22:15-17
King James Version
15 Then went the Pharisees,
and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16 And they sent out unto him
their disciples with the Herodians, saying,
Master, we know that thou art true,
and teachest the way of God in truth,
neither carest thou for any man:
for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore,
What thinkest thou?
Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar,
or not?
JESUS had a ready answer:
Matthew 22:18-22
King James Version
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness,
and said,
Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money.
And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them,
Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar's.
Then saith he unto them,
Render therefore unto Caesar
the things which are Caesar's;
and unto God the things that are God's.
22 When they had heard these words,
they marvelled, and left him,
and went their way.
Another trap set before the LORD, came from the devil himself.
Matthew 4:8-9
King James Version
8 Again,
the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain,
and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,
and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him,
All these things will I give thee,
if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
In answer, JESUS put the devil in his place.
Matthew 4:10
King James Version
10 Then saith Jesus unto him,
Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written,
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve.
Now, you know what JESUS thinks of money.
You know what He thinks of worldly power.
You also know who owns the world.
Is it any wonder the world is the way it is?
Who do you follow?
More on how JESUS is on the next post.
Image: Clipart Library
