PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 22:15-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
The religious leaders are setting Jesus up, baiting him to defy Rome.
Jesus’s response avoids their trap, but what is Jesus actually saying?
The religious leaders implicate themselves with their opening words to Jesus.
They are not men of integrity, they do not teach the way of God with sincerity.
They are swayed by others because they pay attention to who those others are!
How they treat Jesus shows that they honour themselves – and Caesar – above God.
As Jesus followers, our first loyalty should not be government or self but God and Jesus.
Yet this does not mean rebellion against those who are in authority over us.
Jesus teaches respect for leaders, to treat them as humans with humility and grace.
We owe God and people love and respect – it is a permanent debt (Romans 13:8).
As good citizens, we submit to our leaders… unless they require us to sin.
If we must disobey, we do so with the humility, respect and integrity like Jesus did!
This is the Jesus Way (Matthew 5:38-48), how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Jesus followers are to be good citizens, with respect, humility and integrity (Matthew 22:16).
Lord Jesus, Your gracious Spirit reminds me that I owe respect and honor to everyone, whether I like them or not. Help me to be a good citizen of Your kingdom, giving what I owe to those around me!