Rendering to Caesar

    “What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”

    “But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, ‘Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrities? Shew me the tribute money.’ And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, ‘Whose is this image and superscription?’”

    “They say unto him, ‘Caesar’s.’”

    “Then saith he unto them, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.’”

     This often quoted passage is well known to saints and sinners alike. A brief reading of the scriptures shows Jesus to be a rather succinct fellow, especially when speaking to those outside His immediate circle of followers. He didn’t often give explanations and didn’t label people on a whim. So why, in this instance, did He label His tempters hypocrites? 

     The Pharisees fancied themselves keepers and defenders of the law of God. Undoubtedly, they had a zeal for God. However, their zeal for keeping the law was exceeded by a wicked desire to be seen keeping the law. Therefore, they constructed a system of semantics that made it appear that they kept even the finest points of the law.

     With politicians and hypocrites, perception is everything. The Pharisees didn’t keep the law; they bent it to their advantage. It was common practice for a Pharisee to dedicate everything he owned to God. Sounds very pious, doesn’t it? However, they instituted the practice to avoid supporting aged parents. As in, “I’d like to help you out Dad, but the only money I have on hand is dedicated to God.” Jesus rightfully accused them of using this tradition to make the command of God of none effect. In appearing to keep the law; they avoided it altogether; robbing themselves and those who heard them.

     The Pharisees thought their challenge would force Jesus to subjugate the law of God to Rome. Either that or be branded a traitor by the government. It is clear from Christ’s answer that God puts a difference between what a Christian owes to God and what he owes to the government.

     It is proper for Christians, as citizens, to pay taxes and abide by governmental regulations. If you are a Christian and consistently violate the speed limit---shame on you. Nevertheless, being subject to the law does not mean that we are servants of the state. Christians are the servants of God and owe allegiance to no other. The state may support abortion, homosexuality and welfare to unwed mothers, but a Christian owes support to none of these things; not so much as even tacit approval. A Christian is not bound to support that which goes outside the rule of law. We are not obliged to follow our leaders in “humanitarian” trespass. We are not bound to pledge allegiance to a government that tramples its own law.

    There are still elected leader who will follow the law. Sadly, such are things in our country, that they will not stand alone to do it. Christians must make our voices heard outside the church. Write, write and keep on writing your representatives in Congress. Do not threaten; do not revile, but proclaim a desire to return the nation to its roots; its Constitution; and the rule of law.