Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
Matthew 22:17-21
The One Step Daily Devotional is intended to provide just one step each day for your journey with God. Every journey requires water breaks. Here is a water break for you.
Simply put, politics relates to policies and power.* While the word “politics” originates in the 1520s, the jockeying for power using policies reaches far back into the history of humanity.* In this short passage in Matthew, Jesus addresses political issues of His day and the interrelated dynamic of the power and policies of the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of this world.
To understand the words of Jesus better, let’s look at some facts related to the historical context of Jesus:
The image of Tiberius Caesar was stamped on the coin to which Jesus refers.* With this image was an inscription referring to Caesar as divine (God) and high priest.* This was understandably offensive to the Jews.*
In this conversation, the listening ears around Jesus included anti-Herod Pharisees and Herodians.* These two groups clashed as the allegiance of the Pharisees was to God and the allegiance of the Herodians was to Herod.*
Jesus recently accepted messianic (savior) praise (Matthew 21:1-11).* A messianic response would have angered the Pharisees (they did not receive Christ as Messiah) and the Herodians (they would view Jesus as anti-government).*
There were Jerusalemites who would prefer death to allowing Caesar’s image to be carried into Jerusalem on a standard/flag, yet they carried his image on a coin.*
These facts give us some insight into the powerfully wise answer of Jesus. His answer, though, must not be seen only as a clever way to get out of a difficult situation. Indeed, Jesus was…
…showing the Herodians that God alone is divine and Caesar was neither divine nor high priest.*
…demonstrating the dynamic of the Kingdom of Heaven: God is over all. In order to honor God, one must also honor the government He set up until such a point as the kingdom of that government opposes the Kingdom of Heaven.* God does not oppose Caesar as an equal (though Caesar may oppose God and think himself as equal). God is supreme.*
…on a messianic mission that did not include the overthrow of government nor the diminishing of the supremacy of God.*
…revealing some hypocrisy in the hearts of those seen as devout unto God.*
In Joshua 5:13-14, the commander of Heaven’s armies appears to Joshua with his sword drawn:
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
In our world, it’s easy to see opposing people (like Pharisees and Herodians) and think that people are our enemy (though our battle is not against flesh and blood - Ephesians 6:12). It’s easy to feel like we know best and best represent God. It’s important to remember that God partners with us to see His Kingdom come and His will done on earth as it is in heaven, but even when we are standing up for His cause (like Joshua), He is supreme.*
The Herodians and Pharisees both expected a certain answer out of Jesus.* Perhaps they expected a messianic response to charge the political tension of their day. Perhaps they expected a support of government because Jesus had befriended tax collectors.* Jesus answered in typical Kingdom of God fashion: neither.
In our world, we may feel like we are choosing between one kingdom or the other (like the Pharisaic or Herodian kingdoms); it feels like we are limited to two ways in which we can walk. Jesus came as The Way. He is the other option. His is supreme.
As we look at policies and powers, we must remember: as Kingdom people, our focus and passion must be consumed with the power and policies of God as supreme.
In a time of fears of the future and “what if,” we must choose whom we shall fear:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
Render unto Caesar what is Caesars; render unto God what is God’s.
When the people of Israel paid their taxes, it was an act of obedience to God. Their actions were not sacred vs. secular.* Their actions in honoring the words of Jesus were honoring the Kingdom of Heaven and its King. In whose image are you made? Render yourself unto Him.
Today, take a step. Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that God is supreme and His Kingdom is being and will be established. Perhaps today God wants you to see that even in your own views, there may be some hypocrisy. Maybe today God would have you pray. Perhaps today God wants you to allow Him to show you The Way.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (pp. 557–558). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Osborne, G. R. (2010). Matthew (Vol. 1, p. 810). Zondervan.
Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (pp. 721–722). Zondervan Publishing House.
Keener, C. S. (1997). Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 22:19–22). InterVarsity Press.
Turner, D. L. (2008). Matthew (pp. 528–529). Baker Academic.
Hubbard, R. L., Jr. (2009). Joshua (pp. 185–186). Zondervan.
Dallaire, H. M. (2012). Joshua. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Numbers–Ruth (Revised Edition) (Vol. 2, p. 892). Zondervan.
Jamieson, R. (n.d.). A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Joshua–Esther: Vol. II (pp. 12–13). William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited.
Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew (pp. 262–263). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Osborne, G. R. (2010). Matthew (Vol. 1, p. 397). Zondervan.
Wilkins, M. J. (2004). Matthew (pp. 395–396). Zondervan Publishing House.
Keener, C. S. (1997). Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 10:28). InterVarsity Press.
Turner, D. L. (2008). Matthew (pp. 278–279). Baker Academic.
Hagner, D. A. (1993). Matthew 1–13 (Vol. 33A, pp. 285–286). Word, Incorporated.
https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=politics
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politics