Moment of Meditation: Enemy of My Enemy (Matthew 22:15-17)

''Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:15-17)''

Here come the great enemies of Jesus and each other. The Pharisees were the religious know-it-alls. The Herodians were the social sell-outs to Herod the Great. They hated each other, but for this one moment they joined forces. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They had such a common hatred for Jesus that they could tolerate their differences to ask a question that would satisfy both groups' desires to "entangle Him in His words."

Both groups want to know His answer to the tax question. The Pharisees can use a positive answer to encite the crowds against Him because He is siding with the Romans against His own people. The Herodians can use a negative answer against Him because He is telling the people of Judea that they should revolt against Rome.

Would He get entangled? Of course not. His time is near. He's in His last week of His earthly ministry. Now all His enemies are coming at Him full force. Even teaming up with their own enemies to bring about the death that would ultimately save the world. Amen.