Religion and politics. These are the two big taboos. The surest way to create instant controversy and conflict is to introduce either or both topics into a conversation. So, what happens when THE key religious figure is drawn into the sticky topic of politics? Things get interesting.
Confronted by the religious leaders, ever intent on trapping Him in his words, Jesus is challenged by this question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22.17). What transpires next is brilliant: "But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, 'Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the tax.' So they brought Him a denarius. 'Whose image and inscription is this?' He asked them. 'Caesar's,' they said to Him. Then He said to them, 'Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.'" (Matthew 22.18-21)
Avoiding a carefully-laid trap, Jesus left us with an important principle of which specific details are difficult to hammer out. Bottom line: there are obligations to both God and country. But, just what those are has been the subject of widespread debate and controversy.
Without question, we are to obey and pray for those in governmental leadership (1 Peter 2.13-14; Romans 13.1-7; 1 Timothy 2.1-2). Beyond that, Jesus' words are a bit more challenging to apply. Do we vote? Do we seek to enact change and reform? Is our role different in a democracy than in a totalitarian regime, such as existed when Jesus and Paul spoke?
This much is certain: there is only one government that will truly last. Jesus admonishes us to seek it first and foremost (Matthew 6.33). We are specifically called to be its ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5.20). All earthly nations and governments are in radical opposition to it, and are under the jurisdiction of the enemy of God (1 John 5.19).
The call to serve the kingdom of God easily encompasses our entire being and energy. I, for one, find service to this government immensely satisfying and worthwhile. There is no other government that offers both societal and personal change and reform. And, there is no other government immune to decay and corruption.
May your service to the king and the kingdom be gratifying and fulfilling this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Confronted by the religious leaders, ever intent on trapping Him in his words, Jesus is challenged by this question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22.17). What transpires next is brilliant: "But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, 'Why are you testing Me, hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the tax.' So they brought Him a denarius. 'Whose image and inscription is this?' He asked them. 'Caesar's,' they said to Him. Then He said to them, 'Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.'" (Matthew 22.18-21)
Avoiding a carefully-laid trap, Jesus left us with an important principle of which specific details are difficult to hammer out. Bottom line: there are obligations to both God and country. But, just what those are has been the subject of widespread debate and controversy.
Without question, we are to obey and pray for those in governmental leadership (1 Peter 2.13-14; Romans 13.1-7; 1 Timothy 2.1-2). Beyond that, Jesus' words are a bit more challenging to apply. Do we vote? Do we seek to enact change and reform? Is our role different in a democracy than in a totalitarian regime, such as existed when Jesus and Paul spoke?
This much is certain: there is only one government that will truly last. Jesus admonishes us to seek it first and foremost (Matthew 6.33). We are specifically called to be its ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5.20). All earthly nations and governments are in radical opposition to it, and are under the jurisdiction of the enemy of God (1 John 5.19).
The call to serve the kingdom of God easily encompasses our entire being and energy. I, for one, find service to this government immensely satisfying and worthwhile. There is no other government that offers both societal and personal change and reform. And, there is no other government immune to decay and corruption.
May your service to the king and the kingdom be gratifying and fulfilling this day.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
3 Comments:
At 9:41 PM,
Neville said…
Excellent!
Eagerly awaiting our heavenly Father's Government with the coming of His wonderfulr Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ.
NTCB.
At 9:44 PM,
Neville said…
Excellent!
Eagerly awaiting our Heavenly Father's Government, with the coming of His glorious Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ.
NTCB.
At 9:48 PM,
Neville said…
Excellent!
Eagerly awaiting our Heavenly Father's Government, wit the coming of His glorious Son, our Lord Jesus the Christ.
NTCB.
Post a Comment
<< Home