“…render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God
the things that are God's.”[1]
It occurs to me that more than a glib response to critics, this statement was
issued as an appropriate life attitude for people walking in the footsteps of
Jesus. The Pharisees were attempting to trap Jesus; their intent was to force
Jesus into conflict with civil authorities, religious leaders, or both. However,
they were confounded, as the scripture records, “…hearing, they were amazed,
and leaving him, they went away.”[2]
What was it about Jesus’ response that so amazed the Pharisees?
The question, “is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or
not?” was designed to solicit a yes or no answer, producing a result that
either response would have put Jesus in a compromised situation. Jesus
requested a coin and asked, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The
significance of the question can’t be fully recognized without hearing the
injunction, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the
things that are God's.” The Pharisees may have been pompous and arrogant, but
they were not stupid, they were well educated in the scriptures. Jesus used the
word “likeness” which to the Pharisees would have connected his response to the
creation account in scripture. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image,
according to our likeness…’” [3]
That which bears the likeness of the emperor should be given back to him, and,
that which bears the likeness of God must be given back to him.
We don’t actually know what the Pharisees thought or
understood, all we are told is that they were amazed; what they thought is left
to our imagination. I believe that Jesus issued a principle relevant to people
of the first century and all time following. The first observation I would make
is that paying taxes and serving God are not contradictory. Paying taxes is
representative of the numerous obligations of living in a country or society;
laws must be obeyed. I’m not going to spend much time on when it is right to
disobey laws, other than to say the scripture teaches obedience to governments.
If one is going to disobey the law he or she must also be willing to suffer the
consequences of doing so. The injunction to obey the government was given at a
time when Nero would one day be emperor - they don’t come much worse. Render to
Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, clearly has reference to being human and
living in a human world.
Of greater consequence is the aspect of giving to God what
belongs to God. Jesus’ response to the Pharisees was; that which bears the
likeness of Caesar belongs to Caesar, and that which bears the likeness of God
belongs to God. People are made in the likeness of God; reject it, disown it,
refuse to believe it, but you can’t change it – it’s a fact. People in any
society are under the laws of the government of that society and are expected
to support and contribute to systems governing the social good. Our obligation
is more significant when giving back to God that which belongs to him. Giving
back to God is accomplished through the currency of love. We are created in the
likeness of God, and God is love. “We have come to know and have believed the
love which God has for us. God is love…”[4]
We have access to God and citizenship in the kingdom through the love of Jesus.
“This is my commandment, that you love
one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that
one lay down his life for his friends.”[5]
The aura of God’s love encompasses us at all times and it is
our obligation to let that love flow through us to the benefit of those we
engage with. Jesus’ description of acceptance is quite different to what most
Church-going people have in mind.
Then the King will say to those on His
right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me something
to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a
stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you
visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' Then the righteous will
answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and
give you something to drink? And when did we see you a stranger, and
invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in
prison, and come to you?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to
you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even
the least of them, you did it to me.'[6]
Love in action is the only means we have of giving back to
God that which is his. Being made in the likeness of God means we are endowed
with his nature, God’s nature is love. There’s nothing wrong in attending
Church, there’s nothing wrong with being involved in programs, but that’s not
what the reading above is about. It’s not an activity, it is love. And, the way
the Lord outlined it, it’s not all that difficult, it’s not feeding the five
thousand, but, “to the extent that you did it to one of these”. The Greek word
translated “one” may be “any” or “another”, but it includes just one. A kind
word to a neighbour, a listening ear to someone, a friendly greeting, or any
number of little things that are helpful. We are not called to share God’s love
by volume, but by need, and opportunity.
Jesus taught his disciples to obey the commands of Moses. On
the eve of his arrest he gave an additional command, one that was foundational
to pleasing God.
A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another.[7]
Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another, a command
that extended to all disciples, to every citizen of God’s kingdom. The currency
of God’s kingdom is love. Years ago I read a book entitled “Love is a Verb”, I
remember nothing from the book except the title. The concept of love being a
verb is quite profound; the notion sums up the intent and meaning of love. Paul
in 1Corintians 13 addressed the absolute necessity of love in everything we do.
Jesus said that love shown to one another was the hallmark of discipleship.
Demonstrating love was the key feature in recognizing believers as disciples of
Jesus. It is appropriate that children of God display the Father’s attributes
and nature. Having coins stamped with his image was an expression of pride for
an emperor, but God creating people in his likeness was an act of divine love.
Being made in the likeness of God set people apart from everything else
created; humans are unique having the capacity to love, unique in that
immortality is bound within all people. A saying popularized by the late Wayne
Dyer addresses the distinctive role of people in the world, “We are not human
beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human
experience.” The uniqueness of being human is carrying God’s divine imprint;
being made in the likeness of God.
For you were called to freedom,
brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for
self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole
law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that
you are not consumed by one another. Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not
gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the
Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are
opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are
led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.[8]
The ideal path as Paul wrote is to “live by the spirit.” Our
priorities are somewhat mixed up; the point is not to love life, but to live
love. Paul however, speaks of the dichotomy within us, “what the flesh desires
is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh;
for these are opposed to each other.” We have complete control over our choice
to either, to live according to the essence and love of God, or to satisfy
human appetites to the exclusion of the spirit. Living love is not natural,
Jesus in his teaching expected his audience to recognize that love goes beyond
natural affection, to the point of doing good to those who would harm us, and
providing for the needs of one’s enemies. It’s giving with no expectation of
return, it’s helping someone who has wronged you. “…render to Caesar the things
that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.” The coin represents
earthly responsibilities, the things that are God’s represent living love, and
walking by spirit.
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