Manipulation

Matthew 22:16 - So [the Pharisees] sent their disciples, along with the Herodians to him, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, and show deference to no one; for you don't regard people with partiality."

Who were the Herodians? They were a group of Jewish people who supported the policies of Herod as well as Hellenistic culture. They were non-Messianic and so had two points of contention with Jesus. This verse, then, describes a group of people opposed to Jesus' teachings coming to him and starting their conversation by calling him "Teacher." Do you think they were able to keep the sarcasm out of their voices?

I joke, but it's funny because it's true. They were merely buttering Jesus up in the hopes that he would relax his guard. They believed none of this and Jesus knew it. There is a word for this behavior - manipulation. Sometimes, as here, it is easy to spot, but other times it is more difficult. We let our desires, hopes, fears, or regard for the other person cloud our vision and we become a victim. Sometimes, we're just fooled but other times, we might lose much more than our "face." This is how scam artists work; they count on people not reporting the crime, because no one wants to admit to themselves or any one else that they have been foolish. This is also how televangelists work.

We have all been taken in at one time or another, so we can easily imagine how it feels. But, have we ourselves participated in such behavior? Most of us have, usually when we're too young to know better. Some of us never stop, for a myriad of reasons. It's hard to spot in ourselves; maybe harder than spotting it when others do it. Yet, manipulation is devious; no one wins when manipulation is the strategy.

We often want to give people a second chance, especially if we like them or think they can help us in some way. I think this is what is happening with our Republican leaders; they were duped and now they cannot seem to figure out how to escape the consequences and save face. It's not possible to do both. Whether they admit it to themselves or not, they have already lost face. They thought they could control the uncontrollable and now they, too are stuck. While we should absolutely call them out for their behavior and hold them accountable, we should maybe try to empathize as well.

Jesus has done this with the Pharisees, and he'll do this with this group as well. He'll show them love, teach them the way, and give them the choice to follow or not. He's teaching us, too. Showing us what it looks like to be wise as a serpent and innocent as doves. Showing us what manipulation looks like and how to deal with it when we see it. Showing us what not to do.

As it is still Lent, I am going to think about my own efforts at manipulation - they weren't always successful, and if necessary and possible, make amends. No one wins when the strategy is manipulation.