COMMANDS38 (Taxes): Goodbook 04-15-16

One of our challenges for 2016 is to learn and live all 50 commands of Jesus. Jesus told us that following his commandments is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John 15:9-12). In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20). So each week in this year we are learning and living one command of Jesus. Here is our command for this week...

Week 38:

“Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God,” (Matthew 22:17-21).

Application:

Since April 15th is tax day, I thought this might be an interesting command to explore. There is a lot more going on in this passage than a simple question about taxes. The story actually starts back at verse 15. How fitting is that? April 15, verse 15 – it was meant to be.

The question was designed as a trap, a lose-lose scenario for Jesus. I’ll introduce you to the conspirators behind the plot. One group was the Pharisees. Pharisees were Jewish religious leaders, and they were also ardent nationalists who opposed the rule of the Roman Empire. The other group of conspirators was the Herodians. Herodians supported the Roman rule of the Herods (kings). Normally these two groups would be enemies. Now they were joining forces against a common enemy.

The trap was fail proof, or so they thought. The Pharisees would ask Jesus if he thought it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. This was a loaded question. Rome required its subjects to pay taxes. The tax was highly unpopular and some Jews flatly refused to pay it, believing that payment was an admission of Roman right to rule. The taxes went directly to Caesar’s treasury, where some went to support the pagan temples and decadent lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy. Given the heated nature of the matter, there was no good way to answer the question. If Jesus said, “No,” the Herodians could report Jesus as a traitor. If Jesus said, “Yes,” the Pharisees could denounce Jesus as disloyal to his nation and to God.

Jesus saw through their evil motives. This question wasn’t about honoring God’s law or seeking Roman justice. It was meant as a trap. Apparently, there was a good way to answer the question. Jesus asked for a coin. On one side of the coin was a portrait of Emperor Tiberius, and on the other side was the Latin inscription: “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus.” The Roman emperor was given divine status and viewed as a god of sorts. Jesus replied, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

With his answer Jesus not only avoided a trap, but he also made two powerful statements. First, Caser is not God! Jesus distinguished between Caesar and God, protesting against the idolatrous claims made on the coin. There is only one God and Lord of all. Second, followers of Jesus have a dual citizenship. We are citizens on earth and we are citizens of heaven. As citizens on earth, we are required to pay money for services and benefits we receive. We are instructed to be good citizens who show respect and honor to our leaders (1 Peter 2:17). Followers of Jesus, however, have another citizenship. We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). As citizens of heaven, we pledge our ultimate obedience and commitment to God. Since everything comes from God, everything belongs to God. Since God is over everything, God is the supreme Lord and authority over our lives. Every decision should give honor and glory to God first and foremost.

To obey this command of Jesus means to fulfill the duty of both citizenships. April 15 is only one of many moments we have every day to navigate our dual citizenship. We should strive to be good citizens by respecting our leaders and contributing to the success of our nation, city, and neighborhood. At the same time, we recognize our highest allegiance lies with God. In all situations, we should strive to honor God with our decisions and with the blessings God first gave us – our time, our abilities, our money.

Take some time today to answer these two questions: How can you give to Caesar what’s Caesar’s? How can you give to God what’s God’s?

Share your comments and application ideas…