In Jesus Holy Name October 18, 2020
Text: Matthew 21:45,46a, 22:15 Redeemer
“Tricky Words, Tricky Questions”
Benjamin Franklin has often been quoted as saying, "In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes." Many have figured out ways to get out of paying taxes, legal or otherwise, but no one has yet been able to avoid the certainty of death. We pay a lot of taxes in California. Over 60,000 Californians moved out of the state between 2017 and 2018, resulting in a net loss of $8 billion in adjusted gross income. They moved to states with lower tax rates. On our ballot this year you will be voting on various tax issues. We are expected to read the fine print.
My son who works in the California State Capital noted that one of the bills that came forward this year to be voted on was supported by 12 Assembly members and 2 Senators. It is called the “California Wealth and Exit Tax”. In other words, if signed by the governor, even if you wanted to leave the state this bill would impose an annual tax on a taxpayer’s worldwide wealth for 10 years. The wealth tax proposal includes an exit tax to ensure that no one escapes the loving embrace of the California Franchise Tax Board.
Taxes can be frustrating. The debates between Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees are taking place in the temple. In their frustration with Jesus they tried to trap Him with tax issues. They are becoming more and more frustrated. They were angry at Jesus. They know His recent parables are about them. But they were afraid of the people. He was a threat to their leadership. They are the spiritual leaders of the nation. Men entrusted with the dispensing of goodness and mercy. They are the religious professors, scholars and bible teachers of the community. Role models for the children. Jesus called them out as fakes, liars and white washed tombs.
It is Holy Week. Matthew records another encounter with the religious rulers. It takes place after Jesus had entered the Temple. He has thrown out the money changers who were there. The Sadducees were in charge of the Temple which made them a great deal of money. They had a vested interest in keeping the racket going. The Sadducees and the Herodians didn’t always agree with the Pharisees but they all knew Jesus was a threat. The Sadducees and the Herodians both loved Greek and Roman culture. They liked the theaters and the sports, the gymnasiums. The Herodians supported Herod, the puppet king under Rome. They had a vested interest in the political status quo. If Jesus denied that it was right to pay taxes to Rome then they could accuse Jesus of an act of political rebellion.
All three groups got together and plotted how they would trap Jesus. They used tricky words and tricky questions, about money, about marriage and one by a lawyer about the greatest commandment.
Jesus had just completed telling three parables that were a warning to the Pharisees about their way of life and behavior all in the name of God. They thought they already knew everything. They were the religious snobs of the day who thought they were God’s chosen people and the only ones that he loved. This whole plot was to “trap” Jesus into saying anything that could be used to justify his removal from existence. The motive was clear. They need Jesus dead.
What did the High Priest say after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?
“If we let this Jesus go on like this then the Romans will come and take away our way of life. In other words we will lose the income we receive from the temple. We will lose our social standing and out authority.
Jesus is approached with all kinds of flattery and then they spring they trap. The first question is about paying taxes. This was a no-win situation for Jesus. If He said that they should pay the taxes to the Roman overlords, then He would alienate the majority of the Jews who considered it a sin to pay money to the pagan Roman Empire. But if He said no, don’t pay your taxes, then He would be guilty of insurrection again the Romans. Either way Jesus would lose the argument, or so they thought.
Money is simply a neutral medium of exchange, neither good nor bad. But money is never morally neutral; it always reflects someone’s values in the way it is used. The image on the denarius, the only small silver coin acceptable for imperial tax payments, was probably that of Tiberius Caesar (reigned A.D. 14-37). The inscription upon the coin read ‘Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus’ with the reverse side reading ‘Chief Priest.’ This inscription was a claim to divinity and as emperor, the right to be worshiped.
This is why the Sadducees refused to accept donations to the temple with Roman coins. People who wanted to give their tithe at the temple would have to change their Roman money into Jewish money. Of course a fee was charged.
They had asked Jesus a yes or no question. Jesus turned the answer into a question. He asked to see the coin that was used to pay the Roman taxes. He asked them to identify the image and the markings on the coin. They rightfully identified that the picture on the coin was of the current Caesar and the markings identified him as the supreme ruler of the Roman government.
He then told them they should give to Caesar what was Caesar’s and give to God what was God’s. Jesus established the fact that there is a difference between civil and religious obligations. (Yes Christians…you must pay your taxes) but at the same time you must never turn away from your obligations to God. Isn’t this the current debate in California regarding church services, home bible studies and the worship of God?
What if the discussion would have continued? Suppose the questioner did not have walked away but comeback with another question like: "What belongs to God?" The discussion could have continued. Jesus would have said, "Whose image is on you?" “Are you reflecting God’s character?” This was Paul’s point to the Christians in Ephesus and to us. “Be imitators of God and live a life of love, just as Jesus loved us and gave Himself us as an offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1)
Give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar; give to God that which belongs to God. In baptism God’s image is on you. (Ravi Zacharius) Do others see God character in your character. Do others see God’s image through your actions. Love God. Love your neighbor.
The debates in the temple are not yet over but soon a sandpaper kiss is placed on the cheek of Jesus. What Judas did to Jesus was grossly unfair. Jesus never mistreated Judas… but He knew what Judas would do. Jesus knew that Judas had been seduced by a powerful foe. Satan’s final plan to rid the world of God’s perfect and holy Son. A promise is made by the disciples. They would never run. But I think their fingers were crossed. You look to your friends and your friends don’t look back. You look to the system for justice… the system looks to you as a scapegoat. Jesus looked to his friends for support but that night in the Garden they ran away. In the courtyard of the high priest Peter was afraid and soon the rooster crowed.
Jesus was walking on the road to death. It was God’s plan that Jesus, His holy and perfect Son would take the wrath of God against broken commandments so that His holiness could be transferred to all who trust the words of Jesus.
(II Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus was betrayed. Bitten with a snake’s kiss. It’s more than rejection. Rejection opens a wound, betrayal pours salt on the wound. He was left alone. Betrayal was closing the door. It was more than mockery by the High Priest and the soldiers. Mockery plunges the knife, betrayal twists it.
Through it all, Jesus kept His eyes on the Father’s plan. While surrounded by enemies he kept his mind on His Father’s plan of redemption for His most prized creation. You and me.
“Eternal salvation occurs by grace, through faith in Jesus. Grace means salvation is a gift from God. Just because it’s a free gift to you and me does not mean it has not cost. It cost Jesus His life. Remember, Justice happens when you get what you deserve. Mercy occurs when you don’t get what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. You don’t do things to become a Christian. Yet, when you become a Christian, you do things that demonstrate that you are a Christian.” (from Who Broke my Church, Kent Hunter p. 76)
May your image reflect Jesus (Ephesians )
