Entrapment Failed

Luke 20:20-25

A few days ago, I read an article about the Pfizer Pharmaceutical company. Unfortunately I didn’t keep it, and will have to depend on my memory. According to the article, because they couldn’t get FDA approval for human testing of a new drug in the United States, Pfizer decided to test it in one of the African countries. As a result of the testing, 2639 children either died or suffered permanent injuries. The country’s Attorney General filed a nine billion dollar lawsuit for damages against the company on behalf of the families.

Rather than contest the suit in court or acknowledge guilt, Pfizer lawyers got the trail postponed while investigators researched the Attorney General’s background. They then used the results to blackmail the Attorney General into dropping all criminal and damage claims except for a charge of illegally conducting human testing, for a fine of less than $30,000 per child, even though some of the survivor’s medical bills will cost their families over $100,000. The total fine totaled less than one hour’s profits for the company.

As a result of the settlement, Pfizer faces no possibility of future lawsuits, and has no convictions on their record, leaving them free to continue business as usual, as one of the largest and richest drug manufacturers in the world, with revenue of billions annually. The writer of the article concluded that he would personally not use Pfizer products if an alternative was available, since they obviously had little concern for people’s lives, preferring to give his business to more ethical manufacturers.

Jesus had just warned the Priests and Jewish leaders of the penalties they faced for their blatant rejection of God’s authority. Just as Pfizer looked for a way to destroy the Attorney General, rather than taking responsibility for their actions and doing what they could to make it right, The chief priests and Leaders looked for a way to destroy Jesus. While the disciples said “God forbid”, or in modern terms, “no way”, to the idea of renters killing the owners heir, The leaders actively pursued the option, seeking some way to destroy his influence.

“And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.” (Luke 20:20)

The leaders set up a sting operation with undercover agents to try to entice Jesus into say or do something contrary to Roman law so they could get the Roman government to take him off their hands. They tried to convince him that they were in full support of his teaching and believed it was the word of God.

“And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?” (Luke 20:21-22)

The Jews especially hated having to support the Roman government with their taxes, and just as today, there were some who believed it was wrong to pay taxes to such a wicked system. It was an easily believable position for him to take. For him to take such a stand would make him popular with many, but would give a cause for the Romans to arrest him.

“But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.” (Luke 20:23-24)

Jesus was not fooled by their deceit. He pointed out that they were trying to tempt him to do wrong. Satan is still using this same idea to tempt Christians to destroy their testimony in the world. Jesus asked who manufactured and authorized the money, and whose name was on it. They answered that it was Caesar’s.

“And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” (Luke 20:25)

Obviously, if Caesar had it made, and it has his name on it, it belongs to him. It is stealing to keep what belongs to someone else without permission. Though I may not approve of how the government spends the money, when it says United States of America, it is their money and to refuse to give it is stealing. I can and should try to get men who will use it in a better way elected, but I must not sin against God in the process.

When Peter was confronted with the question of taxes, Jesus told him that while we were not citizens of the world and technically do not owe them the taxes, we ought to pay them for the sake of our testimony in Matthew 17:27. “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”

This must have been a totally frustrating answer to the leaders, who hated paying the Romans anyway, and even worse, it supported the Roman position, so that the Romans clearly had no excuse to arrest him.

“And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.” (Luke 20:26)

What can one say when the response is so totally different than what was expected? Their expectations were based on their own worldly attitudes and assumptions. They were incapable of understanding his thinking, according to I Corinthians 2:11. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”