“The RoseBouquet”

The Pharisees were angry enough to send men out in the crowds that followed Jesus, to set traps for Him with questions. King Herod’s men were sent to do the same. Some of them tried to flatter Jesus with compliments, about how He was a great Teacher, sent from God, and He wasn’t swayed by men, then presented a question for His opinion; is it right to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

But Jesus knew their intentions. He said bluntly, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?” Still, He asked them to show Him a coin used to pay the tax. They brought him a denarius. Jesus held it up and asked, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Jesus came back with His marvelous answer. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

His attackers were amazed and turned away. If we look at this answer carefully we can come away amazed too.

It is our government which produces our money. They have a right to tax us for governing our nation and seeing to our peace with other countries. By the same token, God made us as individuals, as a human race. We owe Him our very lives! Are we as concerned about giving God His due as we are about paying our taxes to our governments at all levels? Just how would we give God ourselves at that? Do we ever think about this?

PRAYER: Lord, I confess, although I have thought of giving myself as a living sacrifice to You, it has not been in a consistent way. I do owe You all of me, for all that You’ve done for me, and even in me since I have believed and received Your great gift of salvation which cost You, Jesus, Your very life. It is really quite fair for You to expect me to devote my life to obeying and serving You. You have not pressured me, but I know it is a fair tax.

I will try to be more faithful in paying it, and with out grumbling from now on. Thank You, Thank You for all You’ve done for me!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Oh, how sweet to have a friend who’d drop everything and come when you need her. Ruthe, the heroine of this novel, dashes away from her own grad when her friend Muriel calls. Don’t you wish you had a loyal, caring friend like that? Buy and READ Ruthe’s Secret Roses! e-Book edition Softcover edition.