Sunday 19 October 2008
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, 'Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax'. And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, 'Whose head is this, and whose title?' They answered, 'The emperor's'. Then he said to them, 'Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's'. When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away." (v.18-22)
Background
One of the things to be aware of when reading Gospel storieslike this is that the original words of Jesus, a Jewish teachertalking to fellow Jews around 30 AD, may have been understoodrather differently half a century later when incorporated into aGospel intended for a much wider readership. And this is certainlytrue here.
The question being asked by the Pharisees (people who studied theJewish Law), who seem to regard Jesus as a fellow Pharisee (whichhe probably was), was intended to find out if he was a politicalradical who would stir up trouble against the occupying Romans. Hisanswer was simple: they had little choice but to pay the Romantaxes, however distasteful that might be, but as Jews their firstloyalty was to God.
But 50 years later things were rather different. Roman emperorswere now beginning to identify themselves as divine 'god-emperors'during their own lifetime and demanding, not just taxes, butworship. For Christians, a vulnerable minority in the scatteredJewish world, this was a major threat. Roman coins may even havehad the inscription 'kyrios', or 'lord', a title that was beginningto be used for Jesus himself, as well as for God. And Jesus wasunderstood to be saying that worship belongs to God alone. Theemperor had a right to demand taxes, but not recognition as adivine being. Such an act of resistance could cost Christians theirlives, just as Jesus died soon after this episode as it isrecounted in Matthew's Gospel.
This story then comes to represent the call for Christians to givetheir ultimate loyalty to God, whatever other legitimate demandsmay be made on them (such as paying their taxes!) No one, and nothing, may take precedence over God in the lives of the disciplesof Jesus Christ. And that is no easier now than it was 2000 yearsago.
To Ponder
In what circumstances might a Christian resistthe demands of the state today?
What are some modern equivalents of the 'emperorcult' of ancient Rome - in terms of individuals, institutions orinfluences which claim first place in our lives?
What might it mean in practice for someone togive their ultimate loyalty to God?