“Teacher,” the Pharisees said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. We know that you aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” Jesus knew what these men were trying to do. They wanted to trap him between earth and Heaven. They wanted Jesus to offend Caesar so He would be killed on the spot. They wanted him to be known as a Zealot - who would work diligently to defy the Roman king. “Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.” Luke 20:20 Yes! Jesus knew they were trying to trap him - Calling him a man of integrity who teaches God’s truth. Saying, “You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” But what they did not realize is that Jesus knows everyone's heart. He even knew Judas was going to betray Him, yet He washed his feet at His Last Supper. This speaks to Jesus being as an image bearer of God! Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites. It’s the most used term he used for them. A hypocrite is a person who says one thing but does another; who treats those in power differently than those who are not. A hypocrite is a person who gives advice but fails to follow their own guidance; who preaches tolerance but judges others who don't conform to their ways. A hypocrite is a person who promotes a holier-than-thou image to offset a reckless heart. A hypocrite is a person who feels justified to set a trap with murderous intent. The men did not like that Jesus did not pay attention to “who people are.” Jesus did not care if a person was possessed by demons, or if the person was the king himself! Jesus loved everyone He came into contact with. He showed mercy to the great and the small. Jesus said, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus was not there to stir up strife. He knows darn well the difference between Heaven and Hell. He knows that His Father has absolute authority so if Caesar is a ruler then it was granted to him. Many Zealots objected to paying taxes with Roman money. They viewed it as a form of idolatry. In fact, I agree. However, Jesus does not condemn it. He says give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is Gods. The image of Caesar was not a demand to worship Him. It was just a demonstration of what the power of the air gave him to own. This reminds me of what Daniel endured while serving the King of Babylon. He followed the Babylon laws and took a high position in their government - while worshipping God with His whole heart. Some would call Daniel a hypocrite, but God saw Daniel as a man after His own heart. “Give to God what is God’s”, serves as a reminder to to focus on our relationship with God and to worship Him as an image bearer. We are to live as image bearers - honoring God with our own image. How can we do this if we are stirring up strife? How can we do this if we are causing division? The scripture says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:6-7
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