People have a tendency to confuse the sacred and the secular. We have a tendency to worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. Christians are called to be in the world, but we not to succumb to the ways of the world. Jesus revealed how we may navigate our way.

The Pharisees were the religious leaders of Israel and they conspired with the Herodians to entrap Jesus. The Herodians were no friends of the Jews as they supported Herod the great. The Pharisees however, opposed Roman intrusion into their way of life. It’s interesting how a common enemy can make strange bedfellows.

They thought they had the perfect trap for Jesus as they asked Him if it was permissible to pay a poll-tax to Caesar. If Jesus responded that it was right to pay taxes to Caesar, then He would be siding with the Romans and would alienate Himself from the Jewish people. If however, He said that taxes should not be paid to Rome, then He would be accused of breaking the law and would be arrested. Jesus however, was aware of their intentions:

But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” (Matthew 22:18-20)

It is interesting that Jesus did not have a denarius, but someone had to bring one to Him. Jesus cut through this moral dilemma:

They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

We see that Jesus practiced this principle earlier in Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus asked Simon, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” Simon answered from strangers and Jesus therefore responded that the sons are exempt. Jesus then responded with an amazing miracle:

“However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” (Matthew 17:27)

Jesus clearly realized the difference between the secular and the sacred and He maintained a clear distinction between them. Jesus taught respect for the ruling authority, but His relationship with His Father was primary. Peter demonstrated this priority as he responded to the religious leaders:

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

We pay our taxes to the government that created the money, but we give ourselves to the God who created us.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark