Trinity 23 (2023)
Trinitytide • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewPaying Taxes when the Emperor is Wicked
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Last week in the run up to an important election, God has ordained that someone else preach and so whether or not I had anything I wanted to say to that moment did not matter, it was not my week to make any commentary. This week as I prepared to take the pulpit today not only had the election turned out how it did it was my turn to preach as God had ordained this particular text. I felt like in the light of the passage of Issue 1 I had to say something. For those of you who do not know in January, during right to life Sunday the Presiding Bishop of the REC asks all Rectors to preach in opposition to Abortion on demand. This is of course November, but we have both a text on how Christians should relate to government right after abortion on demand has become a constitutional garuntee in Ohio by the hands of the electorate.
So what is next? In light of our denominations stance on life, living in a system where our values are not shared what are the options? Increase donations to political campaigns and get is switched and get the government to conform to our values? Withdrawal into homesteading and quit paying taxes? What should we do? Well when faced with how to relate to a bad regime Jesus answers in such a way that we can know how to think about living under a system where our values are less and less the norm.
My hope this morning is to show us that todays text should take us to a place of obedient citizenship and an understanding that the structures of this world are broken and in need of a redeemer.
Let us look first at the text.
Jesus is approached by both disciples of the Pharisees and of the Herodians.
The word Pharisee literally means separate. They Lived according to a bunch of special purity laws that made them feel that they were guardians of God’s true righteous living and others who could not live up to their law code where looked down on. They are going to try and trap Jesus as not living up to the needed moral purity to be a messenger from God and to try and discredit him that way.
The Herodians where the royal leaders of Judah, installed by the Romans. They had the support pf the Roman Army as long as they got the needed taxes out of the community to give to Caesar. They wanted to trap Jesus for not being sufficiently Loyal to Rome and deserving of punishment for treason.
Between these two parties they intended to get him somehow.
The trap laid. is it right to pay taxes to the Government of Caesar.
The oppressive government that kept the boot on the necks of the people. The government that saw Caesar as a God to be worshiped. A Government that supported slavery. A government whose most loyal supporters commited terrible sexual sins, a whose people threw unwanted children on to waste heaps to die. Who built itself on slavery. Whose elections were rigged. Made war against other countries to bring home booty to support the state. It was a government that eventually killed Jesus and more than a few apostles. At the same time a government that built roads and aqueducts. That has some semblance of a legal system. A government that allowed some amount of autonomy and local rule. A government that values some form of Education. Come on Jesus whose side are you going to take...
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show 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.
First off Jesus rebukes them, both of them. He is not joining to either extreme either separatistic, or syncretistic. He has them bring currency with Caesars face on it. Who is the authority as far as that coin is concerned? Caesar. Then give to Caesar what is Caesars and to God what is God’s.
Jesus does not advocate for living a separatistic existence...
Jesus also does not advocate a legislating the Old Testament...
Jesus reminds us that Caesar has his place because God allows it and let him collect his tax based on coinage with his image…and give to God his dues as we are the coinage with his image on it. This would have been so radical in its time and it is going to lad as radical with some of us. As Jesus is basically telling them that even though the govt is corrupt, give them your money. And its okay to ask why, we will get into it in a second but first let us remember …(Main Point)
My hope this morning is to show us that todays text should take us to a place of obedient citizenship and an understanding that the structures of this world are broken and in need of a redeemer.
Well lets talk pastorally for a moment.
First off, like our imperfect marriages shows off the perfect nature of the trinity, imperfect government shows off the authority of God. Governments do what they do imperfectly but they do reflect the perfect work of God in bringing about order.
Why do I think Jesus text, other text and also the church historically invites us to obedient citizenship? Why should we live with allegiance to imperfect regimes?
Well first of all you have the direct words of Christ. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. You also have Romans 13 where St. Paul encourages coming under authority, and even 1 Tim where he invites us to pray for the Emperor. Nothing we experience is happening outside the sovereign hand of God’s intention. Let me say that again...Nothing we experience is happening outside the sovereign hand of God’s intention.
That means that governments both just and wicked are playing out the purposes of God.
These governments have certain requirements of its citizens that we are supposed to participate in, think of Jesus encouragement to carry things for 2 miles instead of one, or of paying taxes in todays text.
What boundaries should we acknowledge in our citizenship. First off we are citizens of a higher kingdom and relate to this kingdom more as ambassadors. That means we follow the rules of this kingdom but we cannot commit treason to our higher authority and even give commentary. The Ambassador to England drives the speed limit while here, pays sales tax, but does not pledge allegiance, and if we intended a new economic policy that offends the English he would say so.
We too pay our taxes, drive the speed limit, we may even pledge allegiance but not in such a way as to violate our allegiance to King Jesus, and if laws are passed that offend God, then we say so. Like laws protecting the destruction of Life, bit for the pre born and for those at the end of life.
We must also acknowledge when a situation is so haneous as to require an exception. The pope at the time of World War two made a deal to protect Vatican Property with Hitler, at the same time he housed and hid Romes Jewish population. There was the obedience of Romans 13 there and yet the higher law of compassion at play.
My hope this morning is to show us that todays text should take us to a place of obedient citizenship and an understanding that the structures of this world are broken and in need of a redeemer.
So how would I guide a congregation in through citizen ship in light of this weeks political evolution.
First acknowledge your highest obedience to King Jesus and his kingdom. Like the coin was stamped with Caesars image we are stamped with God’s. Give this broken regime its money what they do with it they will be accountable to God.
Second live in obedience to the authorities around you remembering that God is allowing them to rule. Vote for what is most just as far you you can discern what is just. You do get a say in this government and no choice is ever perfect. One candidate may think more deeply on stewarding wealth while others the environment. One might have a vision for reconciling broken racial issues while another a vision on protecting life. Maybe one candidate does all of that but that is rare and you will needs God’s wisdom on what to do. But also remember if it all goes poorly we are loyal to a higher king.
Third live as ambassadors of another kingdom, commenting on how the death of the unborn at the hands of humans violates Gods natural law. Do not accept just because it is legal does not mean it is just. An economic system that creates greater and greater wealth disparity may be legal but it is not just. Be a voice fore the voiceless. Not just the unborn but the widow, the orphan and the stranger.
Love your neighbor as yourself, some women who consider terminating a pregnancy do so because they are afraid they will not have support, so support single moms, help care for the unborn and the born. Be the hands of Jesus. We are not just obedient citizens we are great citizens we prosper the land we live in. Jer 29.
My hope this morning is to show us that todays text should take us to a place of obedient citizenship and an understanding that the structures of this world are broken and in need of a redeemer.
Caesar took his kingdom with violence. He conquered and took people into slavery, then falsely claims to be a god. Jesus Christ conquers his kingdom with the humility of the cross. He became a slave, and showed us that he is truly God. The cross with where Jesus showed us how perfect government works. Not a government that demands the service of its citizens or turns a blind eye to the death of the innocent, but a government where the leader dies on behalf of its citizens even though he is innocent. Jesus had every right to demand much of the people, and yet when they rebelled against him he calls them back to himself with he proclamation of Calvary.