“Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.”
Luke 20:20-26 NIV
Would they never learn? How many times had the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus, only to be outwitted and caught in their own foolishness!
A case in point! Jesus was smart! He often responded to a trick question with a question. Why? Questions trigger thought…and thought produces answers. Answers reveal the heart! It’s as simple as that!
In this situation, since the religious leaders knew Jesus’ strategy and, perhaps, to save their own faces, they sent ”spies”, others who were detailed to do their dirty work, to try to trap Jesus. These “go-betweens” nonchalantly pretended to be innocent bystanders, just joining in the conversation…but Jesus wasn’t fooled. He could read His opponents like a book. He recognised the source of their flattering words which tried to cover up their trick question. He saw the barb and shot back with a question of His own.
“Answer my question and then I’ll answer yours.”
Since the question was about money but loaded with resentment because of Roman oppression, the issue was, “To whom did the money belong?” To call for a coin was the best way to illustrate the answer. “Show me the money!” Jesus demanded.
The Roman coin spoke for itself. The image on it was the face of the Caesar. This money belonged to Caesar. Every time these schemers used money, whether they liked it or not, they were borrowing it from and representing Caesar.
The second part of Jesus’ reply spoke volumes! Taxes belong to Caesar and to the Roman government. To withhold taxes was an offence. God’s Word makes that clear! As citizens of an earthly domain, we are collectively responsible to provide the finances to run the country. That’s the citizen’s business. The government’s business is to use it to provide the services that keep the country functional.
“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
Romans 13:6-7 NIV
However, we humans carry the very image of God. He is holy, righteous, and true. As His image bearers, we are to fashion our lives after what He requires. This includes ownership. We are His by right of creation. Therefore, it is His right to govern our lives according to His will and to require from us the responsible use of what He has given us…our bodies, our resources, our time and talents…all are His to use for His glory.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
Jesus’ reply caught His opponents off guard! His answer was not what they expected. Never mess with Jesus! Their trap backfired and turned out to be an indictment against them. That settled it. They were learning that, no matter how much they schemed snd plotted, they could never outwit Jesus. They knew that they were guilty. However much they pretended that they were obedient to God’s covenant, they could not silence their accusing consciences…Instead of trapping Jesus, they played right into His hands.
To be continued…