Follow the Leader - Which One?
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Squeeze to the last drop:
The manager at the local pub had what he considered to be the world’s strongest man working as his bouncer. In fact, the bouncer was so tough, the manager actually used the man to make money on the side with a little bet he had contrived over the years.
The manager was so sure that his bouncer was the strongest man around that he offered a standing $1000 bet: the bouncer would squeeze a lemon until he could get no more juice from it. If a patron of the bar could then get another drop out of that same lemon, he’d win the thousand dollars.
Over the years, many men had tried…and failed. Weightlifters, lumberjacks, other bouncers! Nobody could do it.
One afternoon, a scrawny little man came in wearing thick glasses and a business suit. After getting his seat and noticing the sign announcing the challenge, he told the manager, “I’d like to try the bet.”
After the laughter had died down, the manager called his bouncer over, handed him a lemon, and told him to squeeze away. When the bouncer had wrung the lemon wedge all he could, he turned the pulpy remains over to the little man.
The small man clenched his fist around the lemon and wrung an impressive four more drops from the lemon slice.
The crowd cheered the little guy, and the incredulous bartender paid him the promised $1000. Totally perplexed, the bartender asked the first-ever winner, “What do you do for a living? Are you a black belt karate instructor? A construction worker? What?”
The man grinned. “I work for the IRS. We never have any trouble squeezing out the very last drops.”
No one has a very high opinion of the tax man. Nobody likes paying taxes.
Part of the reluctance, perhaps, is in realizing that the one who can tax you has a degree of authority over you.
This is a relevant topic not just because we’re so close to our national tax return deadline but also because our social and political order has become so divided and antagonistic.
What we must recognize and act on is that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to demonstrate how our Lord and Master would have us think and act.
As we follow Jesus through the pages of the gospels, we see this very topic addressed.
But I believe it’s very important to recognize that, while taxation is the issue, the theme is authority. Who has authority over your life? Who are you giving your faith and trust to?
15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Clearly this is a common concern for believers in any age. It is the tension between our faith and allegiance to God and our responsibilities to our government.
The question that is asked was designed to elicit a black and white answer. As it is phrased, you must choose one or the other: God or Caesar.
The intent was to trap Jesus and continue to try to box Him in to a position that would put Him at odds with one faction or the other.
An answer in the affirmative to God only and NOT to pay taxes would infuriate and alienate the powers that be in Jerusalem who thought collaboration with Rome was the way to survival and security.
To concede that taxes were appropriate and by implication good, would antagonize the majority of the Jewish people who hated their Roman overlords and were appalled at the requirement to use Roman coins which bore the image of Caesar along with an inscription (usually) naming him as a deity.
This violated their understanding of God’s law not to make false images of God.
18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?
Jesus could immediately tell that this wasn’t a legitimate query.
How many political arguments do we find ourselves in where there is NO desire to find resolution. We are arguing to be heard or to get someone to agree with us.
For the Herodians and the Pharisees (who were bitter political and religious rivals) to band together meant that they both perceived Jesus to be the greater threat. They could go back to their own in-fighting after he was taken care of.
Jesus turns the trap on them.
19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,
[IMAGE]
He asks to see the coin. Their stated reason to question him was to learn whether the “hated” Roman coin had any business being in the possession of a Jew.
And, here, almost magically, is the denarius that was required to pay the poll tax.
By their actions, his interrogators betray that they already use the denarius in every day life! Their question is hypocritical since they have clearly settled in their minds that using a denarius to pay for things was just fine.
Now Jesus closes His trap on them.
20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
He forces them to acknowledge their hypocrisy.
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.
Jesus springs their own trap on them by refusing to make the issue black or white.
English - “give” can also be properly translated “give back” to each authority what is due to them.
We use the roads, schools, services, defenses, etc. of our national, state and local government. These services bless our lives in countless ways. We earn money that carry the national symbols on them. We have a responsibility to pay back to the authority that created these benefits. In answer to the pharisaical question, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar, the answer is “yes.”
For every thing that we derive and benefit from our nation, we have a responsibility to pay.
Those roads, schools, libraries, law enforcement, military, etc. all bear the image of our government. We owe our share back.
But Jesus leaves this issue in tension by reminding them that there is a higher King to whom we owe allegiance.
That King is the One who made everything (including governments). He requires we give back to Him those things that bear His image.
In case you were wondering, that’s YOU.
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
Clearly, a higher loyalty and faith belong to God.
This means that there will always be some tension in our decisions on paying back at times.
Paul elaborates on the responsibilities of Christians under any form of government:
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
it’s not only money, but proper respect:
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Conclusion:
On April 16th, the phone rang at First Baptist Church in downtown Glendale. When Pastor Jefferson answered the phone, a member of the IRS introduced himself and said he had a few questions for the pastor.
“This can’t be good,” thought the pastor….
The agent got right down to business. “Pastor Jefferson, do you know a man by the name of Bill Davis?”
“I do,” replied the pastor, still wondering about the nature of this strange phone call.
“Is Mr. Davis a member of your congregation?” the agent proceeded.
“He is. He and his entire family, in fact,” reported Brother Jefferson.
“Pastor Jefferson, did Mr. Davis donate $100,000 to the church?”
“He will!” shouted the preacher as he hung up the phone.