Read Matthew 22:15-22.
During a sermon some years ago, I asked the congregation one of those questions you expect to be answered silently; Are we Americans first or Christians first? Without fail, what I feared was yelled loudly, "Americans!" It did allow me to make the point of my sermon and the point of this passage in which Jesus teaches, that we live in two worlds, the world's world, and the Kingdom of God's world. Those of us who are citizens of the United States can say we are, "Americans," realizing of course, the Americas cover North, South, and Central America; but more importantly, those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ are also a part of what Jesus came to establish, the Kingdom of God. Our faith, our baptism, has set us apart. We should be good citizens of the world in which we choose to live, but also live the world that should live in us, namely a world that lives by a higher, more loving standard. Do not be tricked easily by questions meant to trick Jesus and Jesus' followers.
The question posed to Jesus was about paying taxes. This during a time of wide spread hatred towards Roman occupation and divided loyalties among party and national lines. The Herodians had their view as did the Zealots; the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. Jesus, understood the realities but when asked the question answered with a question using a coin of the day. "Whose image is on this coin?" The response, "The emperor or Caesar." Jesus' reply, "Then render unto Caesar the things that are Casesar's and to God the things that are God's." Jesus was not then nor now, easily tricked.
How are we living what we have been taught in our churches and Sunday schools? Are we truly demonstrating to Christ that we belong to God and good citizens of God's Kingdom, or are we more convinced of the importance of our earthly citizenship and all that goes with that? Imagine a world where the things of God mattered more and people called and set apart by God truly lived the things of God.
PRAYER: Loving God, may we render unto You, ourselves and that which You have lovingly taught us. May our lives make a positive difference in those places in which we live. May our loyalty to You never be questioned because of the decisions we make, the lives we live and the blessings we bring to You and Yours. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
