Question Concerning Paying Tribute to Caesar

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains the questioners' true intention: to 'catch' or 'ensnare' Jesus in His words, delivering Him to Roman authorities for execution. He then analyzes the question's…

The verb 'catch' is illustrated by fishing (outsmarting a fish with a baited hook) and hunting (digging a pit trap), vividly conveying the questioners' intent to ensnare Jesus.

Now this is the only time in the New Testament where this verb catch is used. But the noun form is used twice in Luke chapter 5 to speak of a catch of fish. And it was a term commonly used both in fishing and in hunting. And so its imagery is very vivid.

15:59 - 16:24 Read in full sermon

The point: Consider the sickening exposure of human sinfulness when clothed with a thin veneer of empty religion.

Martin uses the image of a gold bullion dripping with tobacco juice to describe the questioners' flattery, which was outwardly valuable but inwardly defiled by their wicked intent, illustrating the sickening nature of empty religion.

Was all Codes And scruples And rules And rituals And beneath Their codes And scruples And rules And rituals Jesus said They were Like Whitewashed Sepulchers Their hearts Were full Of uncleanness And malice And pride And every Other form Of abominable Sin Culminating In this Murderous Son of God And over That horrible Sin Was this Thin veneer Of empty Religion And there Were the Herodians Only as Much Religion As would Make them Acceptable In their Existing Society That would Give them Political Favor But allow Them to Be Sensual And as I was Out running Yesterday Meditating On the Passage I sa...

54:45 - 56:15 Read in full sermon

The point: People who don't want heart religion usually don't last long around here.

Judas' three years at Jesus' side is given as an example of 'unusual endurance' in the presence of truth, but ultimately his true heart was revealed, illustrating that those without heart religion will eventually be exposed.

That's right. Judas had unusual endurance. He could be at the side of...

62:41 - 62:48 Read in full sermon