Taxes – just saying the word, can make your blood pressure rise, lead to heated arguments, polarizing political debate, and even fueling a national revolution. “No taxation without representation”, was the rallying cry of those British Colonist 240 years ago, which eventually led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War. Presently for us, April 15th is that dreaded deadline to file our taxes, whether we like it or not.
In the few days before Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion, there was a public debate, a heated sparring, a political power play between the religious leaders and Jesus in the Temple described in Luke 20. In one of those engagements the Chief priests sent undercover spies to trap Jesus into public statements they could use against him for a potential arrest by the Romans or to discredit him to the Jewish public. They pulled their best highly explosive and touchy issue of their day – taxes. Taxation by the Romans was oppressive, enforced by brutality with no benefits or rights.
The undercover teachers of the law were setting up their Acme TNT trap like the Looney Tunes character, Wile E. Coyote, “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.” Then at the right moment as the Road Runner “beep, beeps” his way around the corner, BAM! “Is it right (lawful) for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
As the smoke from the explosive question clears, Jesus anticipated the trap, and asks for a small coin, a denarius and asks a simple question, “Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”
The teachers of the law, shift their weight with a little uneasiness, look at the coins they are holding in the palms of their hands as the full attention of the crowd senses the emotional tension of this engagement. They reply, “Caesar’s”.
Jesus looks them in the eye with a calm resolve and authority that penetrates through their disingenuous question, and makes this often quoted statement, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”. Astonished at his answer, they became silent. The Road Runner again escapes injury, and runs free through the desert.
For me as I just filed our 2009 taxes, I am mindful of Jesus’ words, “…give to God what is God’s”. As I fulfill my obligation as a citizen of this nation, what obligation do I have as a citizen of God’s Kingdom? Does God run an IRS department, set a deadline, or burden us with oppressive, forced obligations? Of course the answer is “no”, and I know your thinking “that’s absurd”. However, I sometimes think we fail to grasp our opportunity to worship and honor God with our trust and obedience. All that I am, and all that I have in relationships, stuff and finances is God’s. I am His. His expectation is not one day, April 15th, but everyday, 365 days a year to fulfill my obligation as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The good news is in God’s Kingdom there is freedom, not oppression…there is blessing, not taking…there is mercy, not condemnation…there is benefits, not restrictions, and the retirement plan will last for eternity.
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