Being played is an expression that means someone is using another to accomplish their ends. Most of the time people are being played without their knowledge. But sometimes people know and consent to being used or played by others. In today’s text, someone is attempting to play Jesus. Someone wanted to use Jesus to achieve a personal or worldly goal. There was something he wanted in dispute and he believe Jesus could help him to settle it in his favor. Jesus was chosen for this because His works and teaching were growing in influence, growing in respect and seen as unbiased. He and it carried divine authority and favor of God. If Jesus ruled in His favor or sided with him, he saw it as an asset to gain what he wanted. Jesus saw and refused to be manipulated into being played or used for the covetous and idolatrous desires and practices of humanity. The same can’t be said for those who claim and have claimed to be His disciples and followers today and in the past. From the beginning of His ministry, people have attempted to use Jesus and Christianity for their own personal, lustful and ungodly ends. They are not interested in His teaching, obeying His commands, being His disciples in truth, don’t believe in the afterlife nor want to be a part of it. But they are interested in how this Man and His Church can benefit them.