The Actors and the Sage

Matthew 22:15-22. I believe that the kind of wisdom that prompted this answer is available to all who trust in God (Matthew 10:19). Jesus was asked this question in order to prosecute him for something (v. 15), it was not a sincere question that needed a thorough answer or an innocent question that needed a gentle answer. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing when he called the Pharisees and Herodians multi-part actors (actors who wore different masks at different times in the play to simulate different emotions and people). He was not being rude, he was stripping away the masks they were figuratively wearing. I am also learning that there are some people who need me to be direct with them. They come across as insecure because they are always pretending to be tough, but they need to be gently pushed back sometimes.

Lord please give me your wisdom to interact with people in a more constructive way, thank you for the example of Jesus who showed us what to aspire to.