“Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which He could be arrested. But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” He said. “Why are you trying to deceive Me?”
Matthew 22:15, 18
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “Deceive”: “To cause or to accept as true or valid what is really false or invalid.”A fellow pro baseball scout who is a friend of mine was recently sharing with me how he loves to fish. He is passionate about it. He is a master fisherman, especially during the off-season when more time is allowed. He shared with me how he makes his own fishing lures. He doesn’t buy them at the local sporting goods store. Rather, he spends countless hours with intricate detail making the lure to appear real to the fish. When the fish takes the lure, he sets the hook and reels in his dinner for the evening.Ever been there before? Have you ever experienced someone setting a trap for you? Deceiving you? They listen to every word you say, patiently waiting for the right time to cast the lure of deception so you will bite. Then they “set the hook” and reel you in. Don’t be too hard on yourself.Jesus experienced the very same thing. Almost daily He was faced with traps, deception and land mines by the Pharisees and Sadducees. These were the religious leaders of that day. The Pharisees were master deceivers! They had one goal in mind and that was to deceive Jesus, to trap Him in order to put Him on the cross and silence Him. To shut Him up. To murder Him. To kill Him. To eliminate Him. However, little did they know that Jesus knew their full intentions and evil motives. He knew the very thought and intent of their hearts, and He called them out on it! Read it for yourself, again.“But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” He said. “Why are you trying to deceive Me?” (vs. 18)I’m reminded of the words of Jesus to His disciples. They are as true for us today as they were then.“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be wise as snakes and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16Translation: Don’t be deceived. Use your God-given street smarts. Be alert. Be aware. Be on guard. Don’t take the bait. Don’t believe everything you see and are told. Don’t be deceived by the “fake lure” being set before you.Rather, seek to be more like Jesus. “Be wise as snakes and harmless as doves.”You’ll be glad you did!Be Worth Being,KevinSUBSCRIBE TO "OVER THE HUMP" DEVOTIONALKevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 39 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.
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