A Marvelous Way

Psalm 99 / Matthew 22:15–22

2 Realms

God

Psalm 2 “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? ... 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

Psalm 96:4–5 “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.”

Psalm 99:1 “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!”

He has absolute sovereign rule over all creatures, to act through them, for them, or upon them as he pleases. - 1689 London Confession of Faith Ch 2.2

Caesar

John 19:11 “Jesus answered [Pilate], “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.””

Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

Exodus 9:16 “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

Rendering

Caesar

Caesar’s Image - All that he can stamp on; coins, buildings, documents, armor

Caesar’s Reign

Matthew 5:41 “And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”

The general guidance Jesus gave does not seem to be begrudging, minimal obedience, but rather in matters not compromising the gospel to go further than would be necessary to appease earthly powers.

Romans 13:5 “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

Note the comparative volume and frequency in sermons and Bible studies about the obedient wife of Eph 5, compared to the whispers if not silence on subjection to Caesar. This is imbalance at best as we require, and are subject to the whole counsel of God.

Also note that this subjection and cooperation are nowhere grounded in pleasing performance

God

God’s Image - Specifically on humanity

God’s Reign

Mark 12:30 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

What is left out of this?

What part of ourselves and our lives did Christ not purchase with His own at Calvary?

Giving materially, yes, but devoting one’s life; including the life of your mind (thoughts, imaginations, opinions)

Polycarp's last words: "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me? ... I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ."

Response

Ignoring

Matthew 13:58 “And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”

Marveling

Luke 2:33 “And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.”

Luke 4:22 “And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

Luke 8:25 “He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Redefining

Mark 10:20 “And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.””

Luke 18:11 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”

Which Way?

It begins before conversion

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

It continues throughout our lives