| Series | Living with the Romans |
|---|---|
| Theme | 1. At the time of Jesus - I taimi o Iesu |
| Colour | Lanu Auro |
Scripture Focus: Mareko 12:13-17
They sent some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.” They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marveled greatly at him.
- Mark 12:13-17 (WEB)
Study:
This passage finds Jesus skillfully navigating a political trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. They attempted to corner Him with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, hoping to entangle Him – either condemning Him to the Romans or alienating His Jewish followers. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” is profoundly wise. It acknowledges the legitimate authority of earthly governments while simultaneously reaffirming the ultimate allegiance to God. The key lies in recognizing where our primary loyalty resides. The image on the coin belonged to Caesar, thus Caesar was due what was Caesar’s. But our lives, our worship, our devotion – these belong to God.
Application:
Today, we too live under multiple authorities – government, employers, societal expectations. Jesus’ words remind us to fulfill our civic duties and respect lawful authority. However, these obligations are not absolute. Our ultimate loyalty must always be to God. This means living according to His principles, even when they conflict with worldly demands. It’s about finding the balance between being good citizens and faithful followers of Christ. It's a call to mindful obedience, recognizing which demands are legitimately due to earthly powers and which are reserved for God alone.
Reflection Questions:
- How do you balance your responsibilities to government and your faith?
- What areas of your life are you primarily offering to God?
- In what ways might societal pressures challenge your allegiance to God?
- Are there any areas where you are giving more to “Caesar” than to God?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to navigate the complexities of this world with wisdom and discernment. Guide us to fulfill our obligations to earthly authorities while remaining steadfast in our allegiance to You. May our hearts be wholly devoted to You, and may we always render to You what is rightfully Yours. Amen.
Tags:Jesus, Caesar, Taxes, Authority, Faith, Romans, Mark, Gospel, Allegiance, Obedience, Civic Duty