Was Jesus a Republican or Democrat?
Notes
Transcript
Please turn to Matthew 22. Matthew 22 vs. 15
I often wonder what would Jesus do if he were literally walking this earth, and we could have a press conference with Jesus...
and ask him—what do you think of politics?
what do you think of politics globally and what’s going on?
We would also love to ask him particularly in the United States, “Jesus, what do you think of the political situation here in the US?”
“Jesus, which party should we support—who should we vote for? Jesus, are you a Republican or a Democrat?”
What do you think Jesus would say?
I have a strong hunch, educated guess based on today’s passage.
before I read…just a reminder...
you are welcome here no matter which political party you lean towards or identify with or who you vote for...
b/c we don’t want to be known as a democrat church or a republican church—we want to be a church where we are known for how we make much about Jesus Christ.
3. furthermore…my goal is not to tell you who to vote for or which way to lean…I won’t tell you my personal opinions and which way I lean…but to see politics through the filter of Jesus and not the other way around.
Please stand...
Context:
Let me read this…this is the last week of Jesus’ life—about to go and die on the cross for our sins, so we can have new life.
He has entered Jerusalem already on Palm Sunday.
He has already cleansed the Temple.
and here in chapter 22—Jesus is facing tough questions from his opponents.
Matthew 22:15–22 (NIV)
15 Then the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.
17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Let’s look at the question Jesus faced...
the incredible answer He gave...
and the surprising twist...and how this turns politics on its head.
(repeat)
The Question
Jesus lived in a politically charged world. We think our world is political…Jesus’ world—even more so.
and 2 particular groups come to Jesus in verses 15-16.
one is the Pharisees (vs. 15)
and the other are the Herodians (vs. 16)
the Pharisees were one group of Jewish religious leaders…their name comes from the Hebrew word Parash — to separate—we think of them often religiously—as being extremely devoted and focused on keeping God’s law in the OT and adding to it, and would keep themselves “separate” from sinners.
but they were also very concerned politically…because Rome was in power. Israel was subject to Rome.
so when they asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar or not—if Jesus said “yes” pay the tax—support Rome, Jesus could be seen as being in support of Rome and against his Jewish people.
but then you have the Herodians (Part Jewish)..we see the name King Herod in there. the Herodians were more pro-Rome because Rome had allowed the family line of the Herods to reign, so they were in favor of the tax because pro-Rome meant pro—Herodians. so if Jesus answer “no” don’t pay the tax, they could accuse Jesus of being anti-Rome, and an enemy.
so Jesus seems trapped!
If he says “Yes” pay the tax, then his people, people like the Jews and Pharisees won’t respect him. b/c he is pro-Rome.
or if he says “No”—don’t pay the tax, they could have him arrested b/c he is anti-Rome.
they are trying to “trap him.” just like the devil tried to with the 3 temptations.
“We got you Jesus...”
now at surface level, this is what they are asking…are you pro or anti-Roman government (the main empire who ruled the day)
but they are actually asking something even deeper of Jesus…that Jesus is discerning…the question beneathe the question—the thing beneathe thing....
what are they asking?
let me give you some background…according to history, many Messiah like figures came and went in history.
one notable one was a man named Judas the Galilean. (about 25 years previous)
he had famously told the Jews:
don’t pay the tax here—the imperial tax...
he famously had also cleansed the temple
he spoke about bringing in the kingdom
by the way—this particular tax is called the head tax—was a day’s wages—a Denarius…and there were a lot of types of taxes back then—but this was given for the privilege of being a subject of Rome and Caesar. it wasn’t given to Roman citizens—only subjects of Rome…it reminded you that you are oppressed…and Rome is in charge.
so with that context in mind…when Jesus is asked this question…they are basically asking him...
“Jesus…how do you relate to Rome?”
b/c look at what Jesus said
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
that perked their ears up?
they are asking,
“Jesus, what kind of king are you, and what kind of kingdom are you bringing?”
so look at verse 17:
17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
what kind of leader are you…what kind of king or messiah or political leader are you—and what is your kingdom going to do to Rome...
part 2 —
The Answer—Jesus absolutely breaks their categories.
some politicians never get around to answering the question—Jesus answers it and supersedes their categories.
look again at the answer in Matthew 22.
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
one preacher says it like this…Jesus refused 3 things… (Tim Keller - sermon on arguing about politics)
What does Jesus refuse?
He refused political simplicity...to be politically identified with the systems and categories of the world’s system.
Jesus—are you on the side of the Pharisees who oppose the tax or the Herodians who like it? Jesus doesn’t identify with either one…He doesn’t identify with the political systems of his day. He refused to be boxed in.
That makes me wonder—and think—and give a very educated strong guess—if Jesus was engaging with any political parties around the world today—and they said “Jesus, are you a part of this political party or movement in London or not?” “Or here in America— “Jesus are you a Republican or Democrat?” I think Jesus would refuse to belong to either one. why? b/c he doesn’t do that here.
so this text is a strong caution especially if you are a strong republican or democrat—don’t do Jesus what He wouldn’t do to himself. don’t force Him into your political views—when it seems like he refused to be identified with the kingdoms of this world.
and btw—i think we kind of know this. whenever you watch either very conservative news or very liberal news…here in the US—I don’t know about you—but I think—whenever I watch either one— “isn’t there more to the story here than the one side is presenting? Are we not presenting this gov’t issue perhaps too simple? Isn’t there some more nuance?”
or if you follow politics around the world—their categories and parties don’t always fit into our parties of democrat and republican...
let’s look at the next 2 together…what did Jesus refuse
He refused being politically complacent (or apathetic)...
He refused political primacy...
what do I mean? In his response — give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s....Jesus is refusing both withdrawal from society on the one hand…we are to be engaged with society and gov’t…don’t be complacent or apathetic or cynical...
but at the same time he is refusing to put His ultimate hope in earthly politics—he refused political primacy
one response—#2— we think “society is horrible…everything is bad, divided…I am just going to throw up my hands and withdraw, not do anything, not get involved, not vote”…I think that is the wrong response as a Christian. why?
b/c Jesus does say give to Caesar what is Caesar. He is owed some allegiance—he is owed some respect and honor—even though the Caesar back then was a pretty horrible ruler at times.
Jesus’ statement is similar to Paul’s last week:
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
in that context back then—the coin—the denarius—had Caesar’s image on it. it literally was his silver or copper, his precious metals that he minted—it was his money.
so Jesus says, “Give it to him. pay the tax.”
don’t withdraw from society.
There was one Jewish group back then that did withdraw—they are called the Essenes (different than the Pharisees who were more engaged). they were so fed up with the Empires—that they went and lived in the desert away from people and the world—that is not the right response. we have seen Christian groups over the years have that response—and I don’t think that fulfills our calling to be a light and salt—light has to be in dark places—salt has to be in touch with the meat of this world if it is going to make a difference.
get involved—get engaged—especially locally in making a difference.
and at the same time—Jesus is not calling them to revolutionize—to revolt, to take up arms and overthrow the gov’t. b/c Caesar is owed some respect and honor.
don’t make politics the primary thing in your life.
so on the one hand he refused to be politically simple, but also avoided making politics the ultimate thing in his life that can solve all our problems.
Jesus is saying—don’t withdraw, don’t revolutionize, give Caesar what is Caesar’s—respect and submit—even though it is an earthly gov’t…but on the other hand—don’t give him ultimate allegiance.
why?
remember—Jesus asked about the image on the coin—Caesar’s image is on there so give it back to him.
but giving to God what is God’s—what has God’s image on it...
you and me!
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
you and me—every being is made in image of God (not animals). we are called to live out this unique calling as his image bearers—reflecting who God is to a world, living under His authority.
so when Jesus says give to God what is God’s—he is saying—surrender your entire life to me!
don’t give ultimate allegiance to Caesar—he does deserve respect and honor—but give ultimate allegiance to God.
give Caesar what he is owed,, which sometimes may be resistance, and give God what He is owed—our entire beings.
this was shocking b/c back then—most kings caesars—claimed to be a representative of the gods or god—or actually god himself. Jesus says “No..” gov’t is limited and not perfect.
How do you know when you have gone too far—signs of political idolatry:
If we view others from another political party as the enemy… “In other words, they are not just wrong, they are evil, horrible, rotten people.” that is a sign of political idolatry...
if we see a political sign in our neighbor’s yard—and that totally changes how we see them—and it becomes the primary thing—you have maybe made politics and idol
if you only watch or listen to one political viewpoint or side—that’s a problem. you should listen or watch at least 2 different viewpoints…b/c you may be in danger of going too far.
if when we watch the news, we over-react—doom and gloom, massive anxiety, massive anger—we are falling into political idolatry
if we expect gov’t to answer every single problem of hunankind—too reliant on the gov’t
if we can’t criticize our own political party or leader, we can’t see any faults in our own views or political party, that’s a problem
for instance—i tread lightly but I will say it..if you are on the right—if your politics lean right…we are glad you are here. however, if you cannot criticize the leader of the republican party and his character, if you cannot see any faults in him—that’s a problem.
or if you lean left—or are more progressive, we are glad you are here, too…but if you have no criticism of your party’s policies—just read the democratic party’s policy for abortion (it’s sad) or for solution for transgender-ism---that’s a problem.
we need to be equal opportunity criticizers of both parties and both leaders of both parties...
Jesus will not give into making politics first!
be respectful, get involved, pray your taxes, make a difference politically, but do not give your heart and soul to human politics, parties, or candidates.
your #1 allegiance is to Jesus Christ.
so here is another way of saying...
How Followers of Jesus (Christians) should relate to the world:
1. Not compromise - syncretism (Herodians) - they blended the empire’s values with their faith (people like the Herodians) Herod was part Jewish—but he lusted for power and influence—he ruled with violence, using religion to get power. One of Jesus’ disciples had a background in this—Matthew the tax collector.
2. Not withdrawal (Essenes) -
wthey moved out into the desert, withdrew from society. they neglected the original goal of God’s mission for his people to be a light to the nations. amazingly, God still used them—because we found the Dead Sea Scrolls written and preserved by them.
3. Not revolutionize (think Simon the Zealot)
They didn’t want to remain oppressed—so their solution was not just spiritual—but physical revolt. We need to rebel and start a revolution.
the Pharisees were a mixture—of withdrawing for some and revolutionizing for others..
one writers says: Notice what all these responses had in common, a trait we’ve discussed earlier: they saw religion and politics as inseparable. Religious identity shaped a person’s political practices and beliefs. The syncretists believed that worshipping Yahweh (God) was perfectly compatible with giving their allegiance to whatever new Babylon (Empire) was ruling the world. The separatists (or those who withdraw) established alternative civic communities detached from society, and they did this because of their religious views. The revolutionaries sought to establish God’s empire on earth to replace the Roman Empire.
Sprinkle, P. M. (2024). Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire. David C Cook.
we have seen the question...
and the answer Jesus gave...
Finally—notice how this turns politics on its head.
Jesus was born into a very political world. It was tense…it was divided. It could be violent! Jesus very well could have gone along with one of these systems.
He could have supported Rome—like the Herodians...
He could have withdrew like the Essenes...
He could have started a revolt like the Zealots wanted…that’s what some wanted.
Jesus’ kingdom didn’t fit neatly into any of these categories.
Look at Luke 6:20-26 for a description of the values of Jesus’ kingdom
20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Jesus talks about all the things we want and the world values:
wealth
significance
comfort
acceptance....
and he totally changes them.
he has what theologians calls an upside down kingdom.
most of the world works top down...
but Jesus’ is upside down.
we think we gain wealth by getting lots of money and conquering business…Jesus says be careful. the truly wealthy are the poor in spirit. they have a kingdom that will never go away.
we think true significance and satisfaction is in doing what we want—getting our possessions and experiences—Jesus says—that won’t last or satisfy—you will still hunger. Only those who hunger for Jesus and his ways his kingdom will be filled.
we think comfort is found in a nice predictable play by the rules way—but Jesus says only true comfort is found in him.
we want to be accepted…and sometimes compromise but Jesus says you are accepted by the king of kings and lord of lords—the only opinion that matters
these values are totally different...
and what’s amazing—when you put them across Jesus and His kingdom agenda...
look at what Jesus did...
this will take me into communion---
element
anyone who is a believer
not a member or regular attender
parents it’s up to you...
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
the bread - his body
the cup - the blood of the new covenant
wealth—Jesus left the wealth of heaven. He became poor Scripture says—so that we through his poverty on the cross—his death—might become so rich in Christ. he turned wealth upside down… interestingly in our passage—Jesus had to ask for a coin—did you notice that—He didn’t have one!! the king without earthly wealth
we think of comfort—Jesus left the comfort of heaven…he literally said he was homeless—he had no place to lay his head…wandering, ministering—and on the cross—he was spiritually homeless as he became a sin offering for us— “My God My God why have you forsaken me...” he became homeless so we could have a home with God forever...
we think of acceptance—Jesus was rejected by all his people, forsaken, even betrayed. even Rome rejected him—but He did on the cross—even His Father turning his face away—so we could be accepted by the king of kings and lord of lords—b/c he paid it all. he was excluded so when we believe in Jesus—we are included with a new family
it’s tempting to think that Jesus only had a spiritual kingdom in mind—Jesus reigns in my heart. certainly true—He does!
but it’s more than spiritual—
this is part of the reason Jesus was crucified—the Jewish leaders got him crucified by Rome—because he was charged with being a political threat, a new kind of king and kingdom.
when Jesus kingship reigns in us and among our communities—we become this physical embodiment of Jesus’ kingdom on earth.
our churches—communities of brothers and sisters on earth—become like outposts or embassies of Christ’s kingdom—showing the world in how we love, how we treat one another, what we value---that Jesus’ kingdom has come.
Jesus creates a new society, a new politics to be unlike the kingdoms of this world. In his kingdom, God reigns; people are treated equally including the poor and marginalized. We do not value what the world does. communities of people love one another, forgive one another—they highlight the king’s constitution—the Word of God—and we spread the kingdom through love, not the sword, through service, and by speaking and declaring the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. we let Jesus rule—not us.
In Jesus’ kingdom, we have strength in weakness. we conquer through humility and service. love reigns.
all those who tried to overthrow the gov’t and rebel died and that was the end. Barabbas was released in place of Jesus—his kingdom ended. Jesus’ was only beginning.
on the cross—Jesus was showing a new kingdom way.
on the cross—Jesus’ body and blood was shed—so that our sin could be forgiven before a just, righteous, and holy God. It shows the depth of sin. and it shows the grace and love of God.
the cross was a horrible way to die—it’s was Rome’s way of saying— “Fall in line. you rebel—this will happen to you.”
Jesus took the most shameful, hideous way to die at the time—and turned it upside down. the cross ironically was a victory. victory over sin…over the devil…over death.
Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire 7. The Politics of Crucifixion
Rome tried to squash an insurrection but ended up coronating a new King,
would you pray with me...
(I believe this takes the fear out of politics, the edge and anger out of it—it makes us long to put your kingdom first, and to realize that your kingdom will not fully be realized until Jesus returns.)
baptism tonight---location, etc.