Mark 12:13-17
“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? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.” Mark 12:13-17 NIV
How do we live as the people of God in a world that doesn’t honor Him? This is a question that has been asked by every generation of God’s people throughout history.
As citizens of the kingdom of God who also live as citizens of this world there is often a tension as the priorities and agendas of the world push against the priorities and the agenda of God.
As Christians living in the United States we have been fortunate. In large part it has been relatively easy to live both as faithful citizens of God’s kingdom and as faithful citizens of our community and country.
But, of course we know that our culture is changing. What’s culturally acceptable and unacceptable is changing. Increasingly, our calling is more difficult.
Since Caesar’s image was on a coin in the sense that the coin belonged to Caesar. So Jesus affirms here what we see throughout scripture that God ordains government as a good institution under His authority for the good of people. So we should render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s including taxes in this circumstance.
But then what does it mean to render to God the things that are God’s? Think about it, Caesar’s image may have been stamped on a coin but where was God’s image stamped?
And the answer to that question is so significant. Think all the way back to the very beginning of the Bible, Genesis 1, God’s image is stamped on every human heart.
In other words, Caesar may be worthy of a coin but God is worthy of our hearts. And that changes the way we view government under God. So we appropriately honor government and honor government leaders. We see this all throughout scripture.
At the same time, we ultimately glorify God. No worldly leader is worthy of our hearts. No governmental authority or political party is worthy of our trust, allegiance, hope. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust and our allegiance and our hope.
Jesus saw through the scheme behind the question of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod. He knew their question wasn't an honest one. They weren't looking for God's answer to their question; they were looking for a way to trap Jesus.
The followers of Herod would have demanded that the people pay tax to keep the Romans appeased. The Pharisees would deeply resent having to pay tax to anyone, especially the Romans.
By teaming up, they thought they had Jesus trapped into an answer that would alienate one or the other. Instead, Jesus confronted them with the truth of their deception and then challenged them with the truth.
Christians always live with the tension of perceived allegiance. While we know that we should respectfully obey governing authorities, it is difficult to do that when those governing authorities do not seem to be labouring as God’s servants.
When Jesus was faced with the question, rather than entirely delegitimising human government, He answered that there were two sides to the coin!!!
Father thank You for this day and for the blessing of life we have in Jesus. Lord let Your abundant blessings flow from the floodgates of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord please give us discernment so that we can recognize the intent of people's words when they speak to us. Lord we want to respond to people fairly and honestly, yet Lord we don't want to get bogged down in meaningless and spiteful arguments about words. Lord give wisdom in the use of words and in our ability to hear the true messages that are spoken to us, in all things, in all areas of our personal and public lives, keep us always open-minded to seeking the truth that is Your way. Lord us my friend to be the salt and light of Your Word and way to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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