Render to Caesar, Render to God
Notes
Transcript
The Strategy of Attack against Jesus
The Strategy of Attack against Jesus
Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Many of the Jews did not think it was right to pay taxes to the Roman government because there money was not going to God.
The Poll Tax
The Poll Tax
A denarius was paid for the yearly census.
Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
The Ramifications of Jesus’ Answer!
The Ramifications of Jesus’ Answer!
Jesus could start an insurrection which would go against the planned death, burial, and resurrection.
Jesus was not one to take the sides of people but the side of God.
Gamiliel speaks of such a rebellion in Acts 5:37
After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
From the Jewish Perspective
From the Jewish Perspective
If Jesus said they should pay the tax the Jewish population would be angry with Him. He would be considered anti-Jewish. The Pharisees knew this would not be the answer. They were banking on the other alternative.
From the Roman Perspective
From the Roman Perspective
If Jesus said they should not pay the tax then their would be an insurrection and the Jewish people would protest and revolt and believe they were right according to Deut. 17:15.
you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother.
Jesus would be considered anti-Roman and reported by the Herodians to the Roman government. A riot would be inevitable and he would or could lose his life before the time. Jesus’ answer was pivotal.
Jesus Strikes Back!
Jesus Strikes Back!
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
Christ’s Discernment!
Christ’s Discernment!
Flattery got them no where!
Christ’s Directness!
Christ’s Directness!
Hypocrites!
Christ Denouncement!
Christ Denouncement!
Why test me?!!
Jesus’ Wisdom
Jesus’ Wisdom
The Illustration
The Illustration
Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.
The Issue
The Issue
And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
The Answer! RESPECT (RESPECK)
The Answer! RESPECT (RESPECK)
Obligation to the Government: Render to Caesar!
Obligation to the Government: Render to Caesar!
Ceasar was wrong for asking for what only God deserves: worship!!!
But Jesus affirmed government can demand of us what is social and economic.
God demands that which is spiritual and religious.
They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
Acts 5:29 gives us the limitations of the government.
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Obligation to God: Render to God!
Obligation to God: Render to God!
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
The Aftermath
The Aftermath
The Pharisees and the Herodians looked foolish while God was glorified!