Friday, February 19, 2016

Government as Important but Secondary

t15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial taxa to Caesar or not?”
18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22)

Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. (John 19:10,11)

Thoughts: The Pharisees and Herodians were on two different sides trying to entrap Jesus.  The Pharisees were very religious, the Herodians were more political and secular.  The Pharisees were concerned that Jesus not go against the Jewish law and heritage by putting a pagan first. The Herodians were wondering if Jesus was going to encourage his followers to break the law.
      Jesus basically had a separation of church and state here.  He was saying Caesar has a role, and God has a role.  While all the world is the Lord's, God allows for secondary power in the form of human government.  God also allows for support of this human government.   Jesus even admitted when he was arrested and about to be judged and crucified by the Roman governor said that the government's authority is secondary and given from God.
     In the end, whoever gets to be president of the United States will have only a secondary authority.  But as citizens in a country, we are called to take part as we can to pay taxes as well as to vote or run for office.  It is important that Christians be good citizens- even the best citizens.  Yet, our final citizenship is in heaven.  We always obey God rather than human beings when they conflict (Acts 5:29).  It is this ultimate loyalty that has kept Christians from emperor worship and brought them into persecution.  Yet governments and nations come and go- presidencies and reigns end, but God's reign goes on from generation to generation.  

Prayer: Lord, lead us.  Lord direct us into the future.  

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