Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how to entangle him (Jesus) in his talk. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Hero'di-ans, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin. 20 And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" 21 They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they heard it, they marveled; and they left him and went away.
“A Loaded Question”
A loaded question is one that has more hidden then revealed.
A loaded question doesn’t deserve a straight answer. In fact it can’t be answered straight.
The issue at stake in this text is not simply the payment of taxes; it is the issue of the plurality and priority of the claims on one’s life and substance.
The issue at the heart of the text is how much are we willing to struggle with our faith as a power and passion in authority among the powers and passions of life. How much are we willing to struggle with putting our faith into action in love.
The answer Jesus gave left them with the struggle to be responsible for their own answer. And to determine where the hypocrisy was in their lives.
Each of us has the responsibility to determine as best we can where the hypocrisy is in our lives and then work at being more genuine, more truly human. This is the struggle of faith. To determine what is Caesar and what is Gods. That is, what priorities are going to claim our life and all its substance. How are we going to live?
If the image of Caesar is on the coin, then the counterpart to that which Jesus leaves unsaid, is that Gods image is on us! All of life is to be lived in gratitude to God who created us and sustains us with His love.
‘No Pat Answers”
Life isn’t black or white. It is made up of the shades of gray. It is not just having the answers; it is living with questions, struggles, even dilemmas. When ever we ask a question which begs a “yes” or “no” answer, we are either setting a trap or evading the struggle which is necessary to grow.
Jesus didn’t answer such questions. When closed minded people asked him a closed question, he gave them a riddle or a parable which made them come up with the answer.
It also showed their hypocrisy.
It is a dangerous thing to be closed minded. It just might keep us from ever getting close to the Kingdom of God.
To be in step with Jesus Christ today is to struggle to be open with the issues which touch our lives...abortion, divorce, homosexuality, alcoholism and drug abuse.
It is to be open to the changes which are always a part of life.
It is to dare put people before principles, as Jesus did.
Healed on Sabbath
Ate with tax collectors and sinners
Talked to an adulterous woman in public
Went to the home of Zaccheus
To be in step with Jesus is to have a relationship with God which is real and alive and changing. A relationship of faith which is a power and passion in authority among the powers and passions of my life. A relationship which has room for failure and is open to surprises. To live with Jesus is to have the surprise of our lives, not just once, not just once in a while, but many times as Jesus opens us up to the joys of life in Gods Kingdom.
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