Render Obedience and Faith
Matthew 22:15-22
22 October 2017 – Redeemer
If you’re trying to trick Jesus forget it. Remember, He’s God in the flesh. He created you. He knows your motives. He invented logic and reason. You’re not going to get one past Jesus, but He will do everything to get you.
The Pharisees and Herodians should have known better. They believe they have the perfect trap to ensnare Jesus. They’ve been questioning His authority all along – by whose authority do You forgive sins, heal on the Sabbath. How can you say You’re older than Abraham? Why do you act like You know Adam and Eve personally. They can hardly wait to spring their trap on authority, but first they try a little false flatter. “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Why was the question a trap? If Jesus answered “Yes” the Pharisees would have Him – it was wrong for Jews to pay tribute to the authority of a foreign King. Jesus would be guilty of blasphemy. If Jesus answered, “No, don’t pay taxes to Caesar,” the Herodians had Him, for that would be insurrection.
You can picture the Pharisees trying to contain their joy. “We’ve got Him right where we want Him.” “Yes or No” – either way His days are numbered.
Trickery and deceit will never win against Jesus. Just ask sin, death, and the devil. They all lost and they’re mightier than the Pharisees and mightier than you. The Pharisees and Herodians should have known better. Jesus calls them out, “You hypocrits.” Then Jesus gives them the Lutheran answer, “Yes and No.” He does so by making a request, “Show me the coin for the tax.” They pat the pockets in their robes and dig into their bags. Eli says, “I don’t have any change.”Finally Samuel says, “Here, I’ve got a Denarius.” When he hands it to Jesus, Samuel is caught. “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesars.” Jesus could have then asked Samuel, “If you are so opposed to Herod and Rome, what are you doing with a Roman coin in your pocket? If you oppose Caesar why are you using his economic system?”
“Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” That is Jesus’ Lutheran answer, really the Biblical answer to their question, “Yes and No.” With those words Jesus says “Yes” it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, but “no” not everything is owed Caesar, there are some things that you owe to God alone. And with that the Pharisees and Herodians walked away skunked again. Jesus didn’t bite and they did not catch Him yet.
Jesus here teaches us that we Christians live in two Kingdoms and to each of those Kingdoms we ought to render what is due. Render unto Caesar what is Caesars. What should you render to earthly government? Obedience. Saint Paul tells us that in Romans 13, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God.” So the Government has been given authority by God. It is the authority to threaten and coerce sinners so that we sinners behave decently toward one another.
What would the next 24 hours be like for you if there was no government? Well, I might drive your car home instead of mine, especially if it is newer and nicer than a 2008 Pontiac Vibe. After all, there would be no police to stop me. Of course, getting home might be a problem. There would be no paved streets, no curbs, no stoplights, speed limit or round-a-bouts. When you got home you would have to find water and use the outhouse – because without the government there would be no water and sewer lines running to your house. Since there is no city bylaw inspector your neighbor might dump his sewage down your well. And then you might retaliate. How would we sinners act if the founders of our country had not established a government? It would be chaos. But it wasn’t the founders who founded government. It was God. He wanted this world of sinners, He wanted us sinners to be restrained by force, so that it might peaceful enough for the good news of Jesus to be preached. God establishes the government to serve every sinner by restraining our sinful desires.
Render to Caesar what is Caesars – taxes, obedience, respect, and prayers. Your obedience to government is no different than obedience to your parents – it doesn’t matter if you didn’t choose them or if you don’t like them – God put this authority – parents and government in your life for your good.
Render unto God what is God’s. The Kingdom of God, the Church, as we have learned in the parables Jesus runs in a completely different way than the government. In God’s Kingdom there is no coercion. Whenever the church has done things by force or might or the sword they were wrong. God’s Kingdom works by grace, by the gifts of love that God has purchased in the sacrifice of His Son. There are no taxes in God’s Kingdom there are only gifts. There is no debt only forgiveness. The Sower scatters the seed everywhere. The Master of the House buys the whole vineyard, plants every plant, and lends it out to tenants. The King opens the royal wardrobes to clothe the guests for the Son’s wedding.
The Government coerces sinners to be decent. God saves sinners by forgiving their sins in Christ. The government threatens you with punishment, even death. God punishes His Son with death so you can live forever. The government is supposed to reward good people by leaving them alone. God knows you are not good. He knows your heart so He gave His Jesus over to death for you. At best the Government might be able to keep you safe until you die. Jesus gives you life forever. The Government forces you to serve your neighbor by collecting taxes. The Holy Spirit creates a new heart in you that loves your neighbor freely and helps him as you are able. The government does not have God’s Word, the command to baptize, absolve, or commune. The Holy Spirit does not bring faith through the King, the President or the Prime Minister. Those gifts and promises and commands belong to the Kingdom of God. “The Holy Spirit works when and where He pleases in those who hear the good news” preached, poured, and fed in the Word and Sacraments. The outposts of God’s Kingdom here on earth are congregations where Christ’s death for you is preached, and His gifts are given as He commanded.
That’s the difference between Caesar and God. So what would God have you render to Him? Repentance and faith. Sorrow for your sins and delight in Christ’s forgiveness. Anger at what you have done and peace in what Christ has done for you. Don’t put your faith in government. Don’t render trust for life in any earthly gift. Trust in God. Believe in the Father who sent His Son whose Spirit calls you to believe this truth. The Government might keep you safe for a moment. Jesus Christ has saved you from eternal slavery. His death for your sins cancelled your debt to death. His death freed you from Satan’s grasp. His resurrection means your grave won’t hold you. In the Kingdom of God it’s all gift, all Jesus, His whole life, death and resurrection for you.
Should you ever have to choose between the Government and God, you will have to render the ultimate sacrifice – your life. Many of the Saints who have gone before us died, willingly and joyfully in Christ. Do not be afraid of that day – Caesar wasn’t Lord, Barack Obama wasn’t the Messiah and neither is Donald Trump. Jesus Christ is. He died for your sins and rose again three days later. He sits at God’s right hand ruling a Kingdom that will never end for you. Render to Caesar what is Caesars (obedience) and render to God what is God’s (repentance and faith). In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Pr. Bruce Timm
21 October 2017 anno Domini