WATCHWORD:
16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. Matthew 22:16-22
Meditation:
Render to Caesar
Question: If Christ had done what we are doing — who would ever have been saved?
Question: What are you rendering to Caesar, rather than rendering to our Lord?
Question: Do you bless those who curse you? No exceptions, please
I don’t know. Do I have any answers? I think that if Christ has done what we are doing there would never have been followers, let alone disciples to carry-on God’s work. The fact of the matter is, in God’s plan, what we are doing would not persist in the presence of the light of Christ. Thank you, Jesus, that our sins are forgiven.
When Christ was brought before the Herodians he knew that they were trying to trick him. The popularity of Christ had grown to the point where it had become a threat to their station and to Rome. When they challenged him with a question, he asked for the tax money, though he knew whose image would be inscribed on it. His answer accomplished no purpose for them.
Jesus would not worship Caesar. But he would also not hate him or even ignore him. Jesus wanted to bless Rome. Jesus wanted to bless Caesar. And he knew anger and violence was not the way. He knew that withdrawal was not the way. He could not assimilate into the crowd. So, he chose a different way…love.
Question: If we did what Christ did, bless and love all, who would have been saved? Everyone!
Question: If we rendered, as our Lord did, love and forgiveness to all the Caesars in our lives. What Caesars would remain? Not a one.
Question: Blessings those who curse you, changes curses in blessings. Who, then, would be there to curse you? No one.
Jesus has a plan, an unworkable plan in the eyes of the world, but a plan that is shear perfection. It was a plan that offended vast groups. He challenged the Zealots making it clear that the kingdom of God would not come through violence. He challenged the Essenes, the kingdom would not come through withdrawing into a religious subculture. He inflamed and challenged the Sadducees, making it clear that joining with evil will not work.
Jesus was calling all people to love, to engage in enterprise and education and the arts and neighborhoods, and families, to embrace and find common commitment to the common good. This was and still is God’s plan, and we are God’s builders. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
Henri Nouwen tells us that “Jesus refused to be a stuntman. He did not come to walk on hot coals, swallow fire, or put his hand in the lions mouth to demonstrate that he has something worthwhile to say.”
Jesus proclaimed love in all that he did — without words. He shows us that the image of the leader stands with outstretched hands, praying, a vulnerable leader, a trusting leader. With Jesus we are left with an image that fills our hearts with hope, courage and confidence as we anticipate the future.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path and thank You Father, for the Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word made flesh, Who has life in Himself and is the light of the world in Whom is no darkness at all.
Lord, more than anything else, I desire to bathe in that light of the Lord Jesus so that the light of His love and grace may shine through me to others, especially at those times when the circumstances of life seem to be particularly gloomy and dark.
Father, You have called us to be lights in the world, reflecting the glory and light of Christ and I pray that I may become His reflection, so that men may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven.
Lord, I know that this requires me to decrease to nothing so that He may increase in everything and become all in all. Father, I pray that whatever it takes, that You would purge out anything that diminishes the light and love of Christ in me, so that Jesus is lifted up high in my heart and life, and may my self-life become so translucent and unclouded that Christ may be seen in me, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
