A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 12:13-14)

“Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?’” (Mark 12:13-14)

In Mark 12:13–14 an unlikely coalition approached Jesus to trap him in his words. Generally at fierce odds, a group of religious leaders joined forces with supporters of the local political system. The Pharisees were Jewish nationalists who opposed Roman rule whereas the Herodians were staunch supporters of Herod, a Roman vassal. Both groups felt threatened by the Messianic overtones of Jesus’ ministry. The Pharisees wanted a Messiah on their terms and the Herodians feared tighter Roman control if Jesus’ influence got out of hand. With their leadership threatened and Jesus’ pointed stories exposing the corruption of their hearts, they united in opposition against him. Envy and guilt caused these leaders to act rashly, contrary to the very values that defined their existence. Ironically their flattering admission regarding his integrity and his refusal to live according to popular opinion was undeniably accurate. 

KEY QUESTIONS: Are my detractors and opponents unable to trap me due to my integrity? If not, how might I build up my integrity? Am I known more for what I am against than what I am for?