The Christian and Government | Mark 12:13–17


The chief priests and the rest may have physically departed (v. 12), but they aren’t done with Jesus.  We read in v. 13 “they sent” Pharisees and Herodians “to trap Him in a statement.”  The compliments of verse fourteen were mere flatteries attempting to snare Him. 

They ask Him about taxes.  Some zealots advocated withholding all taxes, knowing that it would invite the wrath of the Romans.  If Jesus sided with them, He would be branded a dissident.  If, however, He flatly affirmed taxes, then He risked alienating His followers—a lose/lose scenario.  Far from falling for their trap, His answer chastens both groups.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.  The very coins that they use to engage in commerce bear the image and inscription of Caesar.  Rome did more than mint this currency: it provided the benefits of pax romana (Roman peace) through good roads and soldiers who would stop those bent on evil.  Taxes benefit the people who decry them, and the Lord commands that they be paid.

Render to God the things that are God’s.  Believers understand that God sovereignly works through even sinful nations—the heart of the king is in the Lord’s hand (Pv 21:1).  Ultimately, then, the problem we have with the powers that be is a problem with the authority of God Who appoints them. 

This was the Apostle Paul’s understanding in Romans 13:1–7.  His conclusion is the same—“Render to all what is due them” (v. 7).  This doesn’t mean we can’t petition for change, but nor does it mean that we rebel.  To idolize government or to anathematize it are equal errors.

We worship the Lord of Hosts.  We obey because He commands us to do so (Ti 3:1–2; 1 Pt 2:13–17).  He even commands us to pray for those in authority (2 Tm 2:1–6).  If our hearts are instructed by the Lord, then we seek the salvation of those in power, and see our obedience to them as our spiritual act of worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Popular posts from this blog

Controversy about Alistair Begg and Gay Weddings?

Image
Last week, Alistair Begg got himself into hot water.  His ministry, Truth for Life, posted a video which included his advice to a grandmother concerned for a grandchild trapped in the transgender lifestyle.  Moreover, this grandchild is getting married and has hopefully invited the grandmother to the wedding. Begg the grandmother two questions.   He asked her if she had expressed her disapproval of the lifestyle, and he asked if she had expressed disapproval about the wedding.   The grandmother said she had on both accounts.   His advice, therefore, stunned the grandmother: He told her to attend the wedding with a gift in hand! We can all sympathize with the drive to be as loving as possible, but let’s back up and consider a few points.   Christians look at Scripture and see biblical prohibitions against practically every expression on the current LGBTQ+ spectrum.   From both the Old Testament and the New, passages condemn such behaviors as deviations from normal creation.   Moreov
Read more

How Was the Trauma Training Today?

Image
Because we are including so many more foster children and children from broken homes into our fellowship, our church participated in a trauma training session today.  Our main purpose was to gain practical insights into how to handle situations where children who have experienced trouble act out their emotions.  To that end, we can be thankful for our time together.  However, there were many errant teachings included which we must reject.  ERRANT TEACHING ON THE BRAIN The presentation alleged that the brain is physically transformed through traumatic events, creating “holes” in it and in its ability to process information.   This is possible, but there is a lot of debate on this subject.   The subject is relatively new, based on the largely anecdotal research of Dutch psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, published in his book The Body Keeps the Score .   Secular psychologists and even some Christian counselors (who are not always biblical in their approach) have found value in this un
Read more

What should we think about the upcoming solar eclipse?

Image
As celestial phenomena unfold, many individuals rightly turn to Scripture, seeking insights into their significance.  Eclipses, comets, supernovas, and meteor showers spark fascination and questions as to whether these events carry divine messages.  However, discerning between natural occurrences and supernatural signs requires careful consideration among Christians, particularly in the context of hermeneutics (the science of interpreting the Bible) and eschatological (end-times) beliefs. The Balance of Natural Order and Divine Intervention I am a supernaturalist, meaning that I believe God made this world and can intervene in events in miraculous ways to accomplish His purposes.   God made the cosmos, and on the fourth day of creation, the Lord made the sun, moon, and stars, establishing these luminaries to be “for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Genesis 1:14).   The word “signs” carries a special fascination for us, but we also see that God had a broader intent f
Read more