"Show Me A Penny"
Coins have long been used for money. Men of importance have usually had their images engraved thereon. This is no exception in the monetary system of our own country.
The money in circulation during the time when the Master graced this planet bore the stamp of Caesar. This was evidenced when a group of spies were sent forth to trap Jesus in his words, so they might bring him before the Roman governor and hence be tried. Theirs was an ill lot—ill bred, ill mannered, ill tempered and illiterate of the knowledge of God.
The Christ was equal to their effrontery, however. When their question of whether tribute should be paid to Caesar or not, was put forth, the Nazarene demanded a piece of money from their pockets. "Show me a penny," he urged. "Whose image and superscription has it?" "Caesar's," was the ready answer.
Then the case was cinched. "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things that be God's." They had received a valuable and much-needed lesson, and were put to rout.
Challenged at another time by the Sadducees, the Savior was "put to test." The materially-minded Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, hence, they had Jesus on the horns of a dilemma—they thought—when they "reasoned" that seven men had the same wife, and if there was to be a resurrection "whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her."
What a predicament they must have had the Great Galilean in! Here is a man teaching a life hereafter for folks who have died, and there's not enough wives for the husbands, and enough husbands for the wives! There was a brilliant argument. Moses gave the right for a brother to marry his brother's wife if he should die and have no children—this was scripture. Such a bulwark of facts as this should forever stop this "Resurrection Proclaimer." Did it?
Watch the Great Strategist as he applies his tactics. Note his answer draped in simplicity. "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." If people do not marry in the resurrection then these brothers would not have to worry about who gets the lone wife. Their argument is shorn of its wool. The pauper of the depression has suddenly become the prince of prosperity.
They showed him a penny too, and the superscription was read quickly and accurately.
Then the Pharisees made their plans, and sent forth one of their "top brass"—a lawyer—to tempt the Son of God. "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" What with all the scores of laws in the law, could he tell them which was the greatest. Could this "law giver" tell them what they had never been able to settle themselves? Ah, he's between a "thou shalt, and a thou shalt not" affair. Will he answer? Read it.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The first and greatest one is not only shown, but the second also! Truly never man spake like this man."
Another penny was read, and read well.