Tangled Talk

“If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest” (Proverbs 29:9).  “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk.  And they sent out unto Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying… What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?  But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites?  Shew Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny.  And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?  They say unto Him, Caesar's. Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:15-21).

The wise may convincingly show what is right,

Explaining the truth from each possible angle.

The fool merely brushes the truth out of sight,

With self-contradictions that further entangle.

The counsel of Pharisees carried this thought,

To tangle our Lord in the things that He said:

“Should we give our tribute to Caesar or not?”

They tangled themselves in their own words instead!

For Jesus, perceiving them asking amiss,

Requested a coin from the tribute be shown.

He posed then the question:  “Whose image is this?”

They said to Him, “Caesar’s”, an image well known.

Our Savior commanded that they should then render

The things back to Caesar that to him belong,

Yet man (in God’s image) to God should surrender

His heart, soul, and strength; to withhold would be wrong!

His foes therefore marveled; they could not respond;  

They found themselves tangled with no words to say.

The counsel of God was completely beyond

The rage of His foes that He silenced that day.

O Lord, give us also a right word in season

To silence the dangerous lies that abound,

So sinners entangled may search for a reason

And find in the Gospel Your answer is found!