Tuesday 08 March 2011

Background

Taxes are never popular and taxes imposed by an occupying forceare often bitterly resented. Some Roman taxes had led to bloodyriots instigated by Jewish zealots who insisted God was their onlyruler. So to advocate paying the tax would be seen as a betrayal ofJewish nationalism. The crowd would dismiss any thoughts that Jesusmight be the Messiah, the redeemer of Israel. To suggest that thetax should be withheld would open him to charges of incitinginsurrection. It's a clever trap thought up by opponents of Jesus,including supporters of Herod Antipas.

The denarius (verse 15) was a small silver coin, and the mostcommon in circulation. It was a typical day's wage for a labourer.By showing the crowd a coin with the image of Caesar, Jesus remindsthem that by using Roman money they have tacitly accepted theemperor's authority. He also implies the practical benefits theyenjoy under the Roman Empire such as roads, increased trade,aqueducts, and law and order.

Jesus picks up on the slogan that God is their only ruler and tellspeople to live up to this claim. If God is indeed their ruler, theyhave obligations they must discharge to God. The currency for thisgoes far beyond money and material possessions. Their spiritualresponsibilities are far more significant than the worldlyrequirements they are worrying about. They need to get theirpriorities right.

The apostle Paul is much more explicit in telling Christians tosubmit to the authorities, to pay taxes and to give the respect andhonour due (Romans 13:1-7). Spiritual issues and worldlyduties and responsibilities are not always neatly separated,however. Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu and Dietrich Bonhoefferamongst others discovered this when they fought the injustices ofstate-imposed racial discrimination and segregation in their ownsocieties. And during the Second World War some conscientiousobjectors found it impossible to reconcile their religious beliefswith the state's requirement for them to join the armed services.Our commitment to discipleship can present us with dilemmas anddifficult choices as we seek to follow God's will.

To Ponder

Have you ever experienced a situation where'submitting to the authorities' appeared to clash with your duty toGod? How did you resolve it?

On what basis would you decide you were justifiedin resisting a law passed by the government?

What obligations do you owe to God? Think aboutamong other things about your time and your talents.