As we reflect on what Jeff shared I would like us to explore a little more on what God is saying to us today through his word.

Transcription

1 Render unto Caesar Rev Stuart Simpson Sermon 19 th October 2014 Isaiah 45:1-7 Matthew 22:15-22 Jeff left us with a question to ponder on, Do you think God Almighty who has come to the world through Jesus Christ is the one and only ruler of our life? As we reflect on what Jeff shared I would like us to explore a little more on what God is saying to us today through his word. The plan was to entrap Jesus. The last couple of ideas had led nowhere apart from frustration, but now, now the perfect plan was in play. It had been Calah who has suggested it first but it quickly caught on. Calah suggested that we ask Jesus a question about paying tax. What s that going to do? Abiel shouted. No surprises there, Abiel has the biggest mouth out of all of us and he is always the first to find something wrong. Just let me speak and you will find out Calah responded in an exasperated manner. If we ask Jesus this Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? then no matter what he says he s going to hang himself 1

2 A number of us considered ourselves reasonable clever and we soon cottoned onto what Calah was on about. But a few of the group were slower than the rest; Calah noticed their confused faces and so with a sigh began to explain. If Jesus says that the people should pay taxes to the emperor then the people will reject Jesus, they will no longer listen to what he has to say. You know the pressure they are under. The prefect of Judea and Samaria collect the land and poll tax for Rome. You Herodians want to make sure the people pay taxes to Herod in the name of Rome, so the Herods can support their own military ventures, building projects and lavish lifestyle. And of course the people need to pay taxes for the running of the Temple. There s too much pressure, and if Jesus says the people should pay the taxes to Rome, the people will refuse to accept him anymore. If Jesus says no to the paying of the Taxes to Rome, then he s caught again!! We can use his answer against him. We can take his answer to the Roman authorities; this will support our case that he is an insurgent. There was silence for a few moments once Calah has finished speaking. Even the loud Abiel was quiet. The realisation that finally this man, this splinter in their finger, may at last be gotten rid of. 2

3 The plan was put into place, the date and time right down to who would go and ask Jesus the question. It was decided that the Temple would be the best place, where many people would be listening to Jesus ramblings. Furthermore it was decided that the Herodians would go along with the Pharisees disciples. This was because the Herodians were supporters of the Herodian family and dynasty and had as much to lose if Jesus wasn t wiped out. With Jesus around, Herod s influence was being affected. [Pause] Everything was in place. The plan was set and ready to be sprung. Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Here we go, here we go! One more step and we ve got him. "Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it." They handed him a silver piece. "This engraving who does it look like? And whose name is on it?" They said, "Caesar." 3

4 Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his." We look around ourselves, our grins turning to disbelief What did he say? What are we to do now? In one quick swipe Jesus destroys the schemes so evilly plotted against him. We hear that they were amazed. And all they could do was walk away. What was it that amazed them? What did Jesus really say that caused such a reaction? What is it we can learn? Give to Caesar what is his, and give God what is his. To begin with I believe it means that Jesus has not come as a military or political threat to the established rulers of the world. His Kingdom is revolutionary, but until he returns in glory, the kingdom will operate with the existing political order. Therefore Jesus will fulfil all that the civil law under Roman authority requires until the time is right, which is when He comes in Glory. Give to Caesar what is his... And yet in doing this Jesus knows something about Roman authority that those around him don t know or refuse to acknowledge. That in 4

5 the scheme of things Rome has no authority unless given by God, because everything belongs to God. Give to God what is God s... Illustration Have you ever had an argument over the TV controls? I certainly have and usually it s about wanting the power to control what is being watched. Now my children like to watch cartoons and I prefer most of the time anyway, to watch something else. When I ask them to change the channel they (the children) will often reply, We ve got the controls! which in their mind means they have the right to watch whatever they want to watch or they are slow to change the channel. However, they forget that even though they have the controls, they don t own them and they don t own the TV. Mum and Dad have ultimate control. The same must be said for God. Giving what is God s implies much more than paying a temple tax or any other tax. God as Creator has sovereign right over all creation and everything in it. We are to pattern our lives in such a way that we show we are God s stewards of all he has created, and we are to use what is his in the way he has designed it to be used. 5

6 This implies that even what belongs to Caesar is only his in a secondary way. Allegiance to God takes preference over allegiance to Caesar, especially when Caesar attempts to usurp allegiance to God s will (Acts 4:19; 5:29). This leads us now to the question How do we know when allegiance to God takes precedence over allegiance to Caesar? And should this allegiance to God be shown through civil disobedience? Morally reflective people have wrestled with the question of whether civil disobedience is ever morally justified, and if so, under what circumstances? Throughout history there have been cases of civil disobedience that seem morally justified, including: The early Christian church's refusal to obey the government's command not to preach the gospel (Acts 4); Martin Luther King, Jr s refusal to obey racially discriminating laws; Christians' violation of religiously oppressive laws when smuggling Bibles and doing missionary work I believe at times, we as God s people need to stand against laws that cause people to carry out evil or immoral acts. But how do we stand against such evil or immorality? One example in St John s history was the Musicathon: Water for the West bank. This is just one small example of how we as God s people stood against abusive power and where our allegiance to God came before allegiance to Caesar. 6

7 Again and again I am drawn to Jesus, who although obeyed the law was murdered. Why? Because Jesus had a reputation for fearless truth-telling. He wasn t interested in political manoeuvring but he was interested and passionate in witnessing the Kingdom of God, which brings good news to the poor proclaims freedom for the prisoners recovery of sight for the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. The problem with the Kingdom of God is that it will always, always, always uncover that which is hidden in shadow. It will affect the powerful. It will bring to light the things that have been hidden and don t like to be disturbed. When this happens, those who are affected will do anything to remain where they are. Just like the main players in the story today. In this Story, God, I believe is telling us, that He has blessed us with Governments and laws to make life better for all We are created to work within such structures, which even though affected by sin, are really controlled and guided by God. And yet there will be times when our allegiance to God will be challenged by the authority of Rome. 7

8 When this happens we need to remember that we are witnesses of the Kingdom of God. We will have to be truth tellers and this may mean we will need to speak and act in ways that bring to light things that imprison, control, abuse and manipulate people. This may be even as simple as looking into our own life and recognising how our need to purchase, for example, cause ourselves and others to become enslaved to the mighty promise of material goods Let s pray now that God guide us to give to Caesar what is Caesar s and to God what is God s. 8