Render Unto Caesar?

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's."--Matthew 22:21

This statement from Jesus is one of the most grossly misinterpreted verses in the entire Bible. Commonly the statement is used to justify paying taxes to the government, no matter what.

But that interpretation fails to consider the context.

First, Jesus was answering a question from those who intended to trick him into saying something for which they could have him arrested. 'Should we pay taxes to Caesar?' If he said no, then he could be charged with treason. This was the Roman Empire, and Caesar was the Emperor. Dissent among peasants was not tolerated. If, on the other hand, he answered simply, 'yes,' then he would alienate his audience, many of whom suffered relentlessly under oppressive taxation that they could in no way afford.

Jesus opted to give a non-answer. He held up a coin with Caesar's image on it, and asked, 'Whose image is on the coin?' When they said, 'Caesar's,' he said 'render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.'

Now, note the folly and fallacy of the argument that Jesus is commanding the payment of taxes. Caesar's image was on ALL of the money, not just that which was collected for taxes. Does that mean, then, that he was advocating that citizens give up ALL of their money and give it to the Emperor? How would they live? No one in their right mind has ever suggested that this is what Jesus was saying. Yet those who claim this statement commands the payment of taxes are saying exactly that. If Caesar's image is on it, then it belongs to Caesar and must be given to him. And that means ALL of the money, not just part of it.

Thus, the statement was intended to foil his interrogators, which he did. They had no answer. But those who had followed Jesus and loved him knew that the statement contained a hidden message that only disciples could understand.

'Render unto God the things that are God's.' Jesus had already taught that ALL things belong to God and that all we have is merely borrowed for a while. Not even a coin with Caesar's image on it actually belongs to Caesar. It, too, belongs to God ultimately.

Thus, our first and ultimate responsibility is to obey God, even if that means disobeying the government. Jesus broke the law on several occasions to show the scribes and Pharisees that some laws are asinine and should not be followed.

And when government pits itself against all we know to be right, good, and honorable, Christian citizens have a responsibility to obey God and disobey the government. As the Apostle Peter stated, 'We are to obey God rather than men.'

Song: This one is a real classic from the 1950s. It talks about 3 Hebrew children who refused to obey the King and were thus thrown into a blazing furnace. This song is presented by a group that dominated Gospel music from the late 40s until the late 60s--the great Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet.  The song is entitled, 'The Fourth Man.'  

Heroes

Hebrews 13: 1-7

¹ Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ² Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.³ Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

 ⁴ Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

   “Never will I leave you;
   never will I forsake you.”^[a]

 ⁶ So we say with confidence,

   “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me?”^[b]

 ⁷ Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Within these verses we find admonitions to help one another in this cruel and heartless world, to show hospitality, to remember those in prison, and to honor our spiritual leaders.

Of course, the passage contains much more, but for our purposes today we will focus on the concept of spiritual mentors, those who were role models of love and compassion, those who went out of their way to show hospitality to all, even to those who were 'strangers' or in prison.

Such persons blazed a trail that we would do well to emulate. This is part of living out our faith.

Song: 'Heroes' by the Isaacs 

Honesty

Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.


In this verse Jesus speaks of telling the truth, of being honest. Many erroneously view honesty as requiring that everything be told. Such a view is sheer folly. Some things are not to be told. We could betray someone's confidence in doing so or hurt someone beyond repair--needlessly.


This does not mean that we lie. As one old gentleman who served as a mentor to me when I was a young man in ministry said, 'When they ask me something I don't think needs to be told, I simply say, "I won't say one way or the other."'


Wisdom will dictate to us how to word things in such a way that the things that are not supposed to be told remain hidden without telling a lie. Truth is not meant to hurt unduly. There must be an overriding beneficial and redeeming purpose for telling the painful truth to someone. If no such benefit can be found, then it is best to keep one's mouth shut.


And most of the time, when we are put on the spot by inappropriate questions, we can either tell the person that such a question is uncalled for, or we can answer yes or no, with no added explanation. Often it is the explanation that gets people in trouble.


The intent of Jesus was to teach Christians that His way is that of truth. And if that is our intent, then our hearts can remain pure in this realm.


The following is not a gospel song, but it presents a lot of truth. Here is the song with the lyrics posted on the screen:


"Honesty" by Billy Joel

Loving

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind."-- Matthew 22:37

Loving God and loving man are the two greatest commandments, according to Jesus. In fact, the entirety of the ancient Hebrew law is summarized by those 2 commands. The essence of the 10 commandments is that each one represents the nature of appropriately loving God and appropriately loving our fellow man.

If we love God and love others, we will do certain things and avoid doing other things. The behavior proves whether or not this love is present.

Song: "I Love the Lord" by the Talley Trio.  When I first heard this song, released in 2003, I was driving and it was broadcast over the radio. I had to pull over to the side of the road it was so moving. Here, the Trio sings the song live before the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a special blessing that I hope you will not pass up.  God bless you.

'Lift Up Your Heads, Your Redemption Draweth Nigh'

Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

These words represent what has been known in Christian circles down through the centuries as 'the Christian hope.' That hope is based upon fact, that Jesus will one day set the world right at the culmination of history, when this particular age as we know it draws to a close.

The term 'the end of the world' is somewhat of a misnomer due to the fact that there is no real end, but a continuation in a 'new heaven and a new earth.' We simply pass into a new realm when the old passes away.

For those who have lost loved ones to death, this is a comfort. For those who suffer in this world, this is like water in the desert--the knowledge that one day all suffering, pain, and even death itself will end. At that point we will be united with God, our Savior, and our loved ones, to live in a new realm forevermore.

Look up, my friend, for your redemption draweth nigh!

Song: This one is a real gem from 1972, a clip that has just been found from the old TV show 'the Gospel Singing Jubilee.' Here the Florida Boys sing 'Redemption Draweth Nigh'--the best rendition I ever heard. This was when the Florida Boys were in their heyday.  Personnel: Tommy Atwood on tenor, Les Beasley on lead, Glenn Allred on baritone, Billy Todd on bass, and Darrell Stewart on piano. Enjoy...

Peace and the Sword

^{Matthew 10:34} Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.


It would be easy to take this verse out of context and assume Jesus is saying he promotes war rather than peace. To the contrary, the goal of the Christian Gospel is 'peace on earth, goodwill toward men.'


However, Jesus was no pacifist. In an angry rage he drove money-changers--those who were overcharging Jews for the animals that would be used in Temple worship--right out of the Temple, overturning their tables and all. No 'gentle meek and mild' pacifist could have done such a thing. 


There is a time to fight, and there are things worth fighting for. One of those is the Gospel. Another is human freedom. Another is the protection of the lives of loved ones and their property. Nowhere does the Bible even hint that fighting for these things, even with deadly force, is forbidden.


The peace that Jesus speaks about must be balanced with other statements He made, showing that common sense dictates that evil in this world must be opposed vehemently, even if it means using deadly force.


Had Europe heeded the lone voice of Winston Churchill in the late 1920s and early 30s, as he warned that Hitler must be stopped, then the world could have avoided the Holocaust and a deadly world war. But Britain was in no mood to take 'preemptive action' against one of the most brutal barbarians in history. You know the rest of the story.


These truths must not be forgotten in light of the deluded thinking of those pacifists who masquerade as Christians, deceiving people into believing that it is always wrong to fight back.


Song: 'Keep on the Firing Line' by George Younce and the Cathedrals. Here ole George 'gets down' to some mega low notes!

Quitting Church

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.


As I have gotten older I admit that going to church seems to be much more important than it was when I was younger. I went through a period of 'take it-or-leave it' when it came to church, and I rationalized my lack of regular attendance with the common mantra among evangelicals, 'Well, going to church never saved anybody,' which is true but is not meant to be used as an excuse not to go.


The Church is the Body of Christ, established by the Lord Himself--a place where we can worship, pray, experience the love and fellowship of other believers, and experience the presence and strength of the Lord in unique ways.


If you don't find that at your church, then get out and find another one. Don't just quit.


I admit I like going to church for the first time in years. I like the fellowship of Christian friends. I like the positive message of love and forgiveness to be found in the Christian Gospel. I love the music.


I hope you will find a church like mine.


Song: This is a real gem from the past. The Sego Brothers and Naomi are the only Southern Gospel group that had a certified million-seller single. That song was 'Sorry, I Never Knew You' from the early 60s. This song, however, is from the late 60s and early 70s, and it is about going to church. Their sound is country gospel for sure, but I admit I like it. It's called, 'Good Morning Neighbor' by the Sego Brothers and Naomi.