Daily Lesson for November 30, 2016

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Luke chapter 20 verses 19 through 27:

19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

Gotcha Politics has been around a long time.

On the face, the questions Gotcha Politics asks seem to be the important questions. Should we give to Caesar or not appears to be an important question. When it's asked everyone tunes in.  Suddenly the whole crowd wants to know, feels like it needs to know. Should we give our money to Caesar or not?  This is an important question.

But who wants to know?  Or, better, who's asking?  And why are they asking?  And why are they asking in such a public, shall we say politicized, venue?  Who gains from this question being asked and being answered?  Though I probably would have missed it then, from a distance of two-thousand years I can tell. It's Gotcha Politics who wants to know.

Beware. Gotcha Politics is still out there. He's all over the Internet and TV. He's asking all kinds of hardball questions.  I mean he's really cuts to the bone, not afraid to be controversial at all.  And I suppose I would call it good journalism if there weren't so much money and reputation to be made in it.  That makes me suspicion, wondering if the role of journalism has not over the last few decades changed from being the watchdog of the people to the attack dog of the politicians. That's something to think about when the really controversial stuff gets brought up.

"Good teacher, is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Just a simple yes or no will do. You know, without any equivocation. After all, a man of your position ought to be straightforward about something so black and white."

Inquiring minds want to know.

And so do Grand Inquisitors.