Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

Luke 20:1-26 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, ² and they declared, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” ³ But He replied to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: ⁴ Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” ⁵ They discussed among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ ⁶ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, since they are convinced that John was a prophet.” ⁷ And so they answered that they did not know where it came from. ⁸ And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

⁹ But He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and leased it to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. ¹⁰ At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ And he proceeded to send another slave; but they beat him also and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. ¹² And he proceeded to send a third; but this one too they wounded and threw out. ¹³ Now the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What am I to do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ ¹⁴ But when the vine-growers saw him, they discussed with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let’s kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ ¹⁵ And so they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and put these vine-growers to death, and will give the vineyard to others.” However, when they heard this, they said, “May it never happen!” ¹⁷ But Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what is this statement that has been written:

‘A stone which the builders rejected, This has become the chief cornerstone’?

¹⁸ Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”

¹⁹ The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them. ²⁰ And so they watched Him closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. ²¹ And the spies questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God on the basis of truth. ²² Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” ²³ But He saw through their trickery and said to them, ²⁴ “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” ²⁵ And He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²⁶ And they were unable to catch Him in a statement in the presence of the people; and they were amazed at His answer, and said nothing.

The text says:  Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what is this statement that has been written:  ‘A stone which the builders rejected, This has become the chief cornerstone’?  Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will crush him.”  The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them. And so they watched Him closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. And the spies questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to anyone, but You teach the way of God on the basis of truth. Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He saw through their trickery and said to them,  “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a statement in the presence of the people; and they were amazed at His answer, and said nothing.  Today, in our society it is not the religious elite who have rejected Christ, the cornerstone. Rather, it is the liberal elite. Having rejected the cornerstone, they build on a foundation that is not true or sure. Anything that is built on lies and manipulation, will have to be sustained with more lies and manipulation. We see this today throughout nearly every aspect of our culture, in politics, in education and in media. A lie that is repeated may become accepted by people, but it does not become truth.

In John 10:10 Jesus says:  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Those who build on the foundation of lies and manipulation, are those who steal, kill and destroy.  In the text Jesus says:  “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  Our allegiance to God is not measured by the taxes we pay to a godless authority, but rather by what we give to God. The abundant life that Jesus gives us is not measured by how much money or material possessions we have, but rather by how much of our heart, mind and soul He has.  In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Philippians 4:19 says:  My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Those who are yoked to Christ, enjoy the abundance of having all their needs met; of having rest in Christ. Those on the other hand who are yoked to the government, not by the taxes they pay, but instead by depending on it to provide for their needs, will know the heavy burden of control. They will give up their very soul for a meager allotment of what they need. I would rather share in the riches of God who gives generously, than depend on the rich elite who give only for the sake of manipulation and control. I will “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.  Amen.