Fooling Jesus

Luke 20:20 ​Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 

Here’s an idea: let’s trick Jesus.  Yeah, good luck with that.  I mean, what were they thinking?  Did they actually think they could trick Jesus?  What I love about this verse is the part where the spies were going to pretend to be honest.  Yes, “pretend” to be honest.  Their strategy?  Play stupid.  It turns out that’s exactly what they were if they thought they could fool Jesus.  He saw right through it, it says in verse 23.  Strikeout, gutter ball, air ball, epic fail.

So why do we think we can fool Jesus?  We pretend to be one way on the outside with hopes he won’t find out what’s inside.  We go through the motions at church without any intention of ever becoming it.  He knows, people, he knows.  He knows when you are sleeping, He knows when your awake, He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!  And unlike Santa, He’s the real deal!  He knows our hearts.  He knows when we are trying to hide.  He knows when we are faking it.

So let’s be real already.  Get real with Jesus.  Tell him your thoughts, your fears, your sins, your struggles.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking he won’t find out.  Don’t try to convince yourself that if he knew your sin, he wouldn’t love you.  He does know it and he chooses to accept you, love you, and forgive you.  In what areas of your life are you trying to fool Jesus?  Take a closer look and start being honest with both yourself and Him.