(Mark 12:13-44)
13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement. 14 They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and do not care what anyone thinks; for You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God in truth. Is it permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Are we to pay, or not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at.” 16 And they brought one. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17 And Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at Him.TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
The Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees, who disagreed on many things and typically didn't get along, all agreed that Jesus threatened their religious and political positions and influence. Here, they all put on their thinking caps, trying to come up with questions that would expose Jesus as a fake, but what they really did was help reveal the fact that He is the Son of God- the Lord God in flesh!
We don't know if there was only a series of three questions, but these three are the ones that are recorded, and this was the first one. One would think that it was the easiest to answer, since it is about paying taxes! But there is a relational and spiritual entity to it.
Keep in mind that we are to tithe to the Lord. And for Israel, it was even more than honoring God with our first fruits, which is a physical demonstration of our thankfulness for all that God has given, and a demonstration of our trust in the Lord, that He will continue to provide. For Israel, it was also their "taxes" (if you will), which would support the temple and local community.
Initially, with the purpose of being an example and a light to all nations, to demonstrate God's power, truth and love, God set up the nation of Israel to be a theocracy, based on the covenant He made with Abraham. This is NOT the same as church-and-state, which is where a government collects and spends tax money, while using a religion to influence and control the people. God, being sovereign, as well as holy, truth and love, is able to govern a nation perfectly. Therefore, having the Lord God as their King, when the people followed Him and His way, they would thrive, and experience peace and blessings! (By the way, this is what the Millennial kingdom will look like, when Jesus physically returns to earth and is accepted as King of kings.) But...
For some crazy reason, the Israelites wanted to be like other nations, and cried out for a physical king... someone who is not perfect. Well, God let the people know that when their physical king was righteous and followed the Lord, they would continue to experience peace and blessings, but when their physical king rejected God and His way, there would be consequences... oh, and lots and lots of taxes!
Now let's go to the situation that Israel found themselves in at this point. They were still to tithe (that being the regional temple tax). Then there was the Herodian local tax which went to the illegitimate king Herod the Great. And then there was the Roman Imperial taxes that went to Caesar and the Roman Empire. So these three groups that approached Jesus were hoping that He would speak out against the Roman Empire and those taxes. But Jesus never got political. He only ever challenged the spiritual leaders, who were leading the people astray.
Regarding our relationship with government, we are to respect, pray for, and submit to those in power, as unto the Lord. We are to obey the laws, unless they go against God's. And, we should pay our taxes. So, in the grand scheme of things, our hope, faith and trust should not be in the government, or in a spouse, or even in our own strength. Whoever or whatever we put first in our lives, is our god and "king". I don't know about you, but I make a terrible king.
God, being sovereign, holy, truth and love- makes Him, not only a perfect King, but the best friend and most excellent "soulmate"! And when we allow the Lord to reign in our lives, He will guide and help us in all other relationships, allowing us to thrive and experience His peace and blessings, no matter what is happing to us, or around us..
