Daily Bread Luke 20
Daily Bread Luke 20
Paying Taxes to Caesar
20Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24"Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
25"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Observation:
As the Pharisees and teachers of the Law felt more and more convicted that Jesus’ parables were directed at them, they grew more and more hostile toward him. So much so that they sent spies to try and catch him in a trap. The spies used flattery and tried to “butter up” Jesus before they set their trap.
They figured if he told them not to pay taxes, he would be seen as a rebel by the Roman government and possibly they could get rid of him, so they wouldn’t have to. But if he was seen as siding with the Roman government, the Jews may think he was a traitor.
But Jesus instead of being caught in their trap, answers their question brilliantly. Jesus asks them whose name is inscribed on the coin. When they reply, “Caesar” he tells them to give Caesar his due (meaning paying their taxes). Then he tells them to give God His due too. God is not inscribed on the coin, but they are made in His image.
Application:
Jesus is using this moment when they are trying to trap him to teach them. In this moment he is teaching on authority. He distinguishes worldly authority from heavenly authority. Jesus gives both types of authority their due. Jesus is saying as a good citizen, we are to honor those in authority over us. Just like as a good son or daughter we honor our parents, or as a worker, we honor our boss.
But the source of all authority is God, in whose image we are made. Our first obligation is to submit to God’s authority. There are times when earthly authority is in conflict with heavenly authority. As in the case when a government participates in something that is morally wrong and asks its citizens to participate in it.
In these rare cases, we must submit to God’s authority no matter what the consequences. These are difficult matters and should be handled with much prayer and consultation. (Ie. One wouldn’t say, “Well I disagree with the government so I am not going to pay my taxes). One of the great things of living in the America is the separation of church and state. This is meant to give equal protection and freedom for the church to be a guardian of spiritual matters, and the state to guard our civil liberties and responsibilities.
Prayer: God help us to submit to those in authority. Most all may we submit to you as the ultimate authority in our lives. May we give Jesus who know rules in heaven the authority to rule and run our lives so that your kingdom may come in and through us. In His name we pray, Amen.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
20Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
23He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24"Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"
25"Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.
Observation:
As the Pharisees and teachers of the Law felt more and more convicted that Jesus’ parables were directed at them, they grew more and more hostile toward him. So much so that they sent spies to try and catch him in a trap. The spies used flattery and tried to “butter up” Jesus before they set their trap.
They figured if he told them not to pay taxes, he would be seen as a rebel by the Roman government and possibly they could get rid of him, so they wouldn’t have to. But if he was seen as siding with the Roman government, the Jews may think he was a traitor.
But Jesus instead of being caught in their trap, answers their question brilliantly. Jesus asks them whose name is inscribed on the coin. When they reply, “Caesar” he tells them to give Caesar his due (meaning paying their taxes). Then he tells them to give God His due too. God is not inscribed on the coin, but they are made in His image.
Application:
Jesus is using this moment when they are trying to trap him to teach them. In this moment he is teaching on authority. He distinguishes worldly authority from heavenly authority. Jesus gives both types of authority their due. Jesus is saying as a good citizen, we are to honor those in authority over us. Just like as a good son or daughter we honor our parents, or as a worker, we honor our boss.
But the source of all authority is God, in whose image we are made. Our first obligation is to submit to God’s authority. There are times when earthly authority is in conflict with heavenly authority. As in the case when a government participates in something that is morally wrong and asks its citizens to participate in it.
In these rare cases, we must submit to God’s authority no matter what the consequences. These are difficult matters and should be handled with much prayer and consultation. (Ie. One wouldn’t say, “Well I disagree with the government so I am not going to pay my taxes). One of the great things of living in the America is the separation of church and state. This is meant to give equal protection and freedom for the church to be a guardian of spiritual matters, and the state to guard our civil liberties and responsibilities.
Prayer: God help us to submit to those in authority. Most all may we submit to you as the ultimate authority in our lives. May we give Jesus who know rules in heaven the authority to rule and run our lives so that your kingdom may come in and through us. In His name we pray, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment