You Aren't Swayed by Men

The religious leaders are attempting to trap Jesus in his words. They send their disciples to Jesus who preface their question to Him with the following description:

"We know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are" (Matthew 22:16).

They had watched Jesus enough to notice some awesome things about Him.

As much as they didn't like Him, they still saw a man who had deep values. He did not lie, he did not cheat, he was humble--the list could go on. He showed us as His followers how to live a life of integrity. Now the religious leaders were trying to use this against Him.

I was confused by the second thing they said about Him. "You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." They were always questioning Him and the way he interpreted the law. Is it possible they began to see a new way to live out the law? A way in which drew them closer to God? A way that was more relational with Yahweh and not bogged down by religious acts? The way God had intended it when he gave the law to Moses?

The last thing they said to Him impresses me the most. "You are not swayed by men, because you pay no attention who they are." This is where they thought they had Him. They buttered Him up, stroked His ego (as if he had an ego) and knowing he was His own man wanted to portray Him as rebel against the Roman Government (that's why they brought the Herodians with them).

The disciples of the Pharisees ask Jesus, "In your opinion, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

Jesus asked for them to show Him a coin used for paying taxes. "Whose portrait is on the coin? And whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar." Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

They thought He would say, "There is no king but God." But Jesus' integrity and God's law would not allow it. As a man, Jesus is bound by the same principles we must live by. As a man, He would have to pay taxes to Caesar like everyone else and live by the law of the land.

So with this in mind how does the "not swayed by man" and "because you pay no attention to who they are" statement apply. The religious leaders are right in saying this about Jesus, but what does it mean. It means Jesus does not play favorites when it comes to having a relationship with Him.

One of the things the religious leaders could not get past was how Jesus did not give them the honor they thought was deserved. They saw themselves as being righteous before God and this righteousness gave them a special place. They were wrong. Jesus sees all people the same when it comes to righteousness. We are not righteous by our own doing. We are made righteous through our faith in Jesus.

"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather through the law we become conscious of [our] sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known . . . This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus" (Romans 3:20-24).

I get tired of people who think I am "so righteous" because I am a minister. I am no different than anyone else. Ask my dad. Ask Rhonda. I know what she would say, "He gets skid marks on his underwear like every other man."

This description of Jesus is both humbling and promising for me. It reminds me that I am like everyone else. I am know different, for like you, I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The promise comes from knowing Jesus loves me regardless of the sin and that he died for me even though I am not perfect.

The lesson we take away is this: To live like Jesus we need to be people of integrity, people who teach the word of God in accordance with the truth and people who look at other people the same.

How are you doing? Are you following Jesus?