Verse of the Day 4/26

Through the Bible - 2 Samuel 14-16, Luke 21:20-38

 

Good morning,

Sometimes we tend to think that all of the concern, debate, and angst over taxes is something that is primarily related to today's modern society.  But paying tribute to the government in the form of taxes has been part of civilization as long as there has been organized government.

In Jesus day, the Roman government imposed taxes over their realm including the areas surrounding Jerusalem.  The Pharisee's thought they had the perfect solution to discredit Jesus.  You could almost imagine the same kind of thing today, trying to trap someone over their stance on "separation of church and state."  They asked Jesus "is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

We go to today's verse for Jesus' response.

^{Luke 20:24} Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?"
They answered and said, "Caesar's."
²⁵ And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 

 The Pharisee's tried to trick Jesus into a response that would turn one faction or another against Him.  Jesus respone left them befuddled and embarrassed.

Wansbrough comments, "the very use of the coinage could itself be regarded as an act of recognition of false gods.  Luke lets the hypocrisy of the opponents of Jesus stand out all the more by making them produce the coin, so to speak, out of their pockets...  It is attractive to picture that He uses the coin for His answer, pointing to the two prominent words inscribed on the coin itself: 'Pay to Caesar' (pointing to the inscription CAES) what belongs to Caesar and God (pointing to the inscription DIV) what belongs to God."

The coins themselves weren't the problem, they were part of society and were used by everyone in commerce.  What was important was the attitude of the heart towards Christ, and being willing to pay "tribute" to Him with our lives in the form of love, devotion, and obedience..

What are you rendering to Jesus?

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

²⁰ So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.
²¹ Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: ²² Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
²³ But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? ²⁴ Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?"
They answered and said, "Caesar's."
²⁵ And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
²⁶ But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.