Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

(88) A Taxing Question Jesus has thrown down the gauntlet in Jerusalem. The leaders know they won’t be able to persuade him to join their gang. So now they have to make sure he doesn’t threaten their position. And the best defense, of course, if offense. Can they make Jesus break the Roman law? Or God’s law even? Can they make him lose the people’s favor? Surely something will work. Read Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26. 1.        Read Matthew 22:15. Do we meet leaders who try to “entangle” or “trap” the opposition? Should they? 2.        Read Matthew 22: 16. Pharisees and Herodians working together? What’s odd about this? a.       Do our leaders (political or spiritual) make strange alliances? Should they? b.       Do our leaders flatter the opposition? Should they? c.        Do they flatter us, and how susceptible are we to flattery? 3. ...

It's our final Coffee Break of the season, so what will you do with your "summer break." I know what we'll be doing after the break - continuing with the final six months of Jesus' life, from Tabernacles to Passover; and I'm very much looking forward to it. During the break I hope to finish my 13th Five-Minute Bible-Story book - John's Joy. It's growing nicely now, and I'm looking forward to its release with IFS books. But back to this week's study. It starts with a "small" miracle - a fish for the Temple tax - and ends with cooking and maiming - quite a leap. But perhaps we all have to pay some kind of taxes... And a new kingdom is coming... (51) No Taxation without …? Jesus is bringing in the kingdom, and it’s not at all the kingdom the disciples expect. The time is just a little before the Feast of Tabernacles (final harvest), and by Passover (first fruits) Jesus will be risen from the dead. This lends an urgency to Jesus...