The enemy stands against , but our God is greater. POINT #1 – Never underestimate how the can become. Mark 12:13-17 ESV, “13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk.” The translation of the Greek word here for sent is actually the same word that Jesus uses when he called his disciples Apostles. As apostles they are sent by God with the authority to speak on behalf of Jesus. So also, these pharisees and herodians are sent with the authority of the Sanhedrin. The other word that is important to understand is “Trap”. Which is the word they would use when they would have a tiger or a wild animal who attacked people. They would send a hunting party and would dig these holes that would have sharp spikes at the bottom and would lure the wild animal to fall into the hole to die. Why is this an important detail? It’s actually the only time this word was used in the Bible. This is important because their hearts were actually longing for Jesus’s death. They approach him with these kind words, but they really long for Jesus’s demise. What does this first part teach us? this teaches us how far people will go to protect the things in this life that they value most. This passage teaches us that people can stare the messiah in the face and reject him outright. POINT #2 - Satan is the enemy who to stop God’s plan of . Mark 12:14a,” 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances,[c] but truly teach the way of God. POINT #3 - No matter how strong our to be, God is . Mark 12:14b-17 ESV, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.” Matthew 22:18, “18 But Jesus, aware of their malice,” They were wanting Jesus to blaspheme against Tiberius. They wanted him to call out this idolatry, so that the herodians would go back to the authorities and tell them that this man Jesus was an insurrectionist. Jesus replies to this with this statement, “give back to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God’s.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Romans 13:1-2, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” Romans 13:7, “7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”