To God What Is God's

Give to Caesar what is his, but not your attention

In a moment, Matthew will tell us that, from that day forward nobody dared to ask him anything.

A few sets of questions lead to this: 1. from the Pharisees’ disciples and Herod’s supporters, 2. from the Sadducees, and 3. from the Pharisees themselves.

Today’s passage deals with the first one. And Jesus’ response really is masterful. It’s masterful not just because of a turn of phrase or wittiness, but because of the meaning at heart. “Yes, Caesar exists. Caesar is what Caesar is. But…God is God.”

Knowing the mastery of his response isn’t enough. We must wrestle with its implications. What is it to give to the government things that belong to the government?

Is it just about taxes? What if a [significant] portion of those taxes are used to marginalize or kill people? It was true then. It’s true now.

Or, a whole lot of people today are claiming Jesus would vote a particular way. Others the other way. Still others say that Jesus wouldn’t vote at all (that is “Caesar’s”).

But more important than figuring out what is Caesar’s is being sure to give to God what is God’s. (Weird that, with this passage, more focus seems to be placed on figuring out Caesar’s place than God’s!)

Give to God what belongs to God…

Matthew 22:15-22

Then the Pharisees met together to find a way to trap Jesus in his words. They sent their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are genuine and that you teach God’s way as it really is. We know that you are not swayed by people’s opinions, because you don’t show favoritism. So tell us what you think: Does the Law allow people to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used to pay the tax.” And they brought him a denarion. “Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked.

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” When they heard this they were astonished, and they departed.

Prayer

God,

I want to do what is right, what is just. I really do. Why is it so complicated sometimes?

Jesus seems to simplify it. Could he come back and simplify it for us right now? Or at least give us the same redirection as is in display in his responses to the religious leaders of his time?

Lord, humble us. We are the religious leaders. Show us what is right and just, that we may follow.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.