THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 12:13-17
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17)
According to the Pharisees, Caesar owns nothing, so we owe him nothing.
According to the Herodians, Caesar is in charge for now, so we owe him allegiance.
Here they want to get Jesus in trouble with the Romans by promoting rebellion.
Jesus is clever with His response, avoiding the trap of these religious leaders.
Jesus seems to say that we owe something to BOTH our worldly leaders and God.
We owe our leaders appropriate submission (including taxes) and humble respect.
The only exception to obeying our leaders is if they command us to go against God.
(See Romans 13:1-7, Acts 4:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:1).
But only God deserves our trust; our leaders cannot save us (Psalm 146:3).
I may not like the taxes, but it is the government’s right to collect them.
I may oppose my government’s policies, but not in a violent, rebellious manner.
As a Jesus follower, I respect worldly leaders, even when I disagree with them.
When I disagree with 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
Lord, help me to be a good citizen of both my community/country, and Your kingdom. May I give to my leaders what they deserve, in a way that You deserve!
The coins had the image of the ruler in charge of the day. That ruler had political power over the people. Therefor give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
However we/I have been created in God’s image and rightfully belong to Him. I am not my own but belong to my Saviour – I must give to Him a life of living service.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love,
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love,
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!