SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:13-17
Interesting that Pharisees (extreme fundamentalists) and Herodians (worldly liberals) worked together.
Their scheme here is to get Jesus in trouble with the Romans; get Him to advocate rebellion.
In His clever answer, Jesus affirms paying taxes, but… ‘give back to God what is God’s’, what isn’t God’s?
We are called to obey our leaders, except when it goes against God’s will (Romans 13, Acts 4:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:1).
I think this is what Jesus is saying too: be good citizens, but remain true to God’s kingdom character and purpose.
In a conflict between obeying God and our leaders (as Jesus had with these leaders), we must obey God.
I may not like the taxes, but it is within the right of the government to levee them.
I may oppose my government’s use of them, but I should not do it in a violent, rebellious manner.
Like Jesus, I need to be the change I expect from others, to model and speak up for kindness, justice, integrity… to challenge the government in a Jesus-like way.
Because I honour God, I respect worldly leaders; when I disagree with them or what they do, I need to do it in a God-honouring way… giving to leaders what they deserve, and to God what He deserves!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
God, help me to be a good citizen of both my community/country, and of Your kingdom. May I give to my leaders what they deserve, in a way that You deserve!