Hard Sayings: Caesar vs. God

Text: Luke 20:19-26

Theme: The Believer owes his or her highest allegiance to Jesus Christ, but we must also give forebearence to the state in temporal areas of life.

Date: 02/06/22 File name: Hard_Sayings_10.wpd ID Number:

For many Christians this passage does not seem to be a particularly “hard saying.” We hear Jesus say, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's," and, in because we’ve been brought up in the most successful Republic in the history of the world, we just shrug and say, “Well, OK. That makes sense.” As a Christian in America we will pay our tithe unto the Lord on Sunday, and we will pay our taxes unto Caesar on Monday, and not think much about it ... nothing too terribly hard about this.

But what if you live in a nation like, let’s say China, where the autocrats demand total loyalty to the state apparatus. Jesus’ admonition becomes a more serious proposition. There have been deep and abiding challenges for many Christians throughout the centuries about the scope of obedience to earthly authority when that authority runs up against one’s commitments to Christ. The face of Caesar may be stamped upon the coin, but the imago Dei is stamped upon the soul of man, and it is why we belong to Him.

Jesus’ answer tells us that one’s obligation is not an either/or, but a harmonious and seamless obligation to obey both at once. We do render unto Caesar, and in doing so subject ourselves to the governing authorities that have been instituted by God. It becomes a “hard saying” when the state begins to demand from us what rightly belongs only to God.

I. THE HISTORICAL SITUATION

1. let me begin by providing you some of the historical background and then conclude with some biblical principles

2. in our Lord day, this indeed, was a very delicate question

After Herod the Great, King of the Jews, died in 4 BC, the Romans divided his kingdom into three parts, giving each to one of his sons.

Galilee, where Jesus spent most of his life, was ruled by Herod Antipas until A.D. 39.

Judea, the southern part of Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital was given to Archelaus

The sons of Herod received taxes from their Jewish subjects, as their father Herod the Great had done. The Herod family may not have been popular with the people, but religiously they were Jews, so no religious difficulty stood in the way of paying taxes to them.

Archelaus's rule in Judea, however, proved to be so corrupt, and so oppressive that, after nine years, the Roman Emperor removed him in order to forestall a revolt, and reorganized Judea as a Roman province, to be governed by a prefect appointed by himself. From now on the people of Judea were required to pay their taxes to the Roman Emperor, Caesar.

About this same time, all Israel — but especially Galilee — began to experience what we would call a spiritual awakening. Messianic fever was running high. The people believed that God alone was Israel's king, and therefore it was high treason against Him for his people to recognize any Gentile ruler by paying him tribute or taxes. The principal teacher of this new doctrine was Judas the Galilean, who led a revolt against the Romans. This revolt is mentioned in the Book of Acts 5:37. The revolt was crushed, but its ideals lived on, and the propriety of paying taxes to Caesar continued to be a subject of theological debate among the Jews.

II. THE TEXT

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” (Luke 20:19–26, ESV)

1. the tax in question was particularly hated — it was a "poll tax" or "head tax"

a. it essentially was a tax that paid for the support of the occupying Roman army

2. however he answered it, it would be almost impossible to avoid giving offense

a. if he said that it was unlawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman governor would get to hear of it and he would be charged with sedition

b. if he said that it was lawful, he would offend those who maintain the ideals of Judas the Galilean and many would think of Jesus as unpatriotic

A. OUR LORD’S RESPONSE IN GENIUS

1. at the end of the text we’re told, And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent

2. Jesus asks to see a Roman coin — a denarius

a. it was a Roman silver coin and was used to pay Roman taxes because all Roman taxes had to be paid in Roman coinage

b. Jesus studies the coin for a moment and then asks, “Whose face is this?

1) the answer, of course, is “Well, it’s Caesars’”

c. “Well,” said Jesus, “the coin which bears Caesar's face and name is obviously Caesar's coin; let Caesar have it back”

1) this is a more literal translation, since the word render has a sense of giving back to someone that which belongs to him

3. what was Jesus essentially implying with this answer?

a. Jesus was not evading the issue, but was clearly saying, "Yes, pay the tax"

1) honoring God does not mean dishonoring the emperor by refusing to pay for the privileges-a relatively orderly society, police protection, good roads, courts, etc., etc.-one enjoys.

b. he was qualifying his "yes" answer by stating that the emperor should be paid (given back) only what was his due

1) therefore, the divine honor which the emperor claimed but which is due to God alone must be refused

c. by adding "and to God what is due to God" Jesus was stressing the fact that all the service, gratitude, and glory due to God should be constantly and gladly accorded to him

4. nothing must be withheld in our relationship with God

III. SOME PRINCIPLES TO APPLY

A. 1ST, CIVIL AUTHORITY IS AN EXTENSION OF GOD’S AUTHORITY

1. this does not mean that the State is divine, but that as an institution of political authority it is established of God and we are to submit to it

“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.” (Romans 13:1, NIV)

a. when you think about it, that statement has huge ramifications

2. it is by God’s will that Kings, and Presidents, and Prim Ministers, and Sheiks, Congresses, and Parliaments, and Dumas are appointed for the purpose of maintaining order, encouraging well-doing, and punishing wrong-doing

“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4, NIV)

a. government is meant to be good and beneficial

1) it is good for us that everyone does not do what is right in their own eyes

2) the only thing worse than bad government is no government

3) all around the world we examples of failed nation states — Somalia, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Haiti are all examples

a) these are nations ruled by warlords and thuggery

3. this world is made up of sinful people — most of them have no relationship with God so they are slaves to their sinful nature

a. by default, human beings are selfish, egotistical, prideful, arrogant, and violent, and when you mix all that together in a community of people, you are going to have crime

b. to that end the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 13:4 that the government “bears the sword” and for the protection of the citizens

4. government, therefore, becomes an instrument in the hands of God for restraining evil in our culture

a. leaders who shirk that God-given role are disobedient to God, by allowing evil to flourish to the harm of citizens

B. 2nd, OBEDIENCE TO THE STATE CARRIES WITH IT RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP

1. our first responsibility of being a citizen of an earthly nation is obeying the laws of the land

a. Paul maintains that if we are disobedient to civil authority it is as though we are being disobedient to God Himself

“Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:2, NIV)

1) remember that the next time you are stopped for speeding

2. secondly, we ought to be involved in the political process

a. render unto Caesar Jesus said

1) the word render, as I said, means payment of an incurred obligation

2) it’s about more than merely paying our taxes

b. good government — particularly in a Republic such as ours — demands that citizens be involved in the political process of the state

ILLUS. James Garfield, our 20th President spoke to this issue: “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. ... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”

3. thirdly, we are to model humility and respect for those in authority over us

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” (Titus 3:1–2, NIV)

a. this instruction is in stark contrast to the angry rhetoric we hear coming from professing believers on different sides of the political spectrum

ILLUS. I must be honest, it is easy for me to be rhetorically intemperate in my thoughts and words toward the current administration. My worldview thoroughly clashes with the worldview of our President. I have, from time to time, had to repent of my attitude, and do what Scriptures command me to do, which is to pray for all in authority over me.

b. if there is one thing Christians must seek to offer to the world around us, it is a more loving way to address others when we feel strongly about a position in which we disagree

4. fourthly, we have the responsibility to pay taxes for the services provided by the State

“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:6–7, NIV)

a. government bureaucracy — as inefficient as it often is — provides us many, many benefits

1) I like having fire and police protection

2) I like having decent roads and safe water and sewers

3) I like having courts and judges where — more times than not — justice is fairly dispensed

4) I like having some of the very best state and national parks in the world

5) I like having our military protect us and provide security from foreign enemies

5. the fifth responsibility of the Christian citizen is to keep all those in authority in our prayers

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1–4, NIV)

a. remember, this instruction was written when Nero was emperor, and he was, shall we say, not overly friendly toward Christians

1) I believe we are to pray for their salvation

2) I believe we are to pray for their wisdom, teachability, and sense of accountability

3) I believe that we are to pray for a peaceable spirit toward those with whom we disagree

4) I believe we are to pray, above all, for God's intervention and protection from human error in matters of the nation's life and destiny

C. 3RD, OUR TRUE CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, AND THE BELIEVER’S ULTIMATE LOYALTY IS TO OUR LORD JESUS

1. the question is: How do believers function in an increasingly secular society that is frequently hostile to the believer's agenda?

ILLUS. What if the state says you must bake a special wedding cake for a gay couple, but you refuse to do so because your conscience won’t let you use your creative abilities to support an event you believe is rebellion against God’s created order? How do you respond when Caesar says, Bake the cake. We don’t care about your faith!”

ILLUS. Obama Care. A government that says, “You must purchase health care or be fined,” is a government that can also tell you, “Do to the crisis of climate change, you must buy a Prius or a Tesla. You can purchase the Ford F-10 if you want, but we’re going to tax you out the wazoo yearly for it.”

2. these are all very real questions

a. Jesus implies and Paul expressly said that we are to be subject to the governing authorities in our lives

1) but what do we do when those governing authorities would command us to deny or hide, or abandon our faith?

b. Jesus himself warned us of the world's hostility toward us and our faith

""If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me." (John 15:18–21, NIV)

c. Jesus warns us that we are on a collision course with this world

3. when faced with conflicting choices between the state and God we should have no dilemma

a. the question of submission to government authority takes a twist when the State demands an allegiance that rightfully belongs to God

4. sometimes the state asks too much and when it does we must deny them

a. throughout the Scriptures we find God’s people defying the authorities when the state demanded from God’s people only that which belongs to God

b. examples: Daniel, Esther, the Hebrew midwives, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Peter and John, Paul and Silas and countless martyrs through the centuries

In the end, the very best way to keep America a great nation is to serve our God who is Great. At a 1983 lecture, Alexander Solzhenitsyn told his audience: More than half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’”

“Since then I have spent well-nigh fifty years working on the history of our Revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval ...

... But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous Revolution that swallowed up some sixty million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’”