Crumbs 129 Whose Authority?
Scripture Mark 12:13-17WEB13 They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. 14 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? 15 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.”16 They brought it. He said to them, “Whose is this image and inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus answered them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” They marvelled greatly at him.
This was not a sincere inquiry but a trap. If Jesus says “ No” he endorses rebellion against a God ordained authority. He would expose himself to attack by the Herodians and be seen to fomenting rebellion. If He said “ Yes “ he would be seen to cast doubt on the prophetic destiny of the people of God. This would offend the Pharisees.
The Bible says He knew the hypocrisy of the questioners. They questioned that the Jews owed anything to Caesar. Yet they were ready with the denarius They had bought into the Roman economic system and benefitted from Roman law and ordered. Their question was simply to embarrass and even endanger the Saviour.
Yet Jesus gives them their answer.
Jesus’ use of a coin is challenging It bore an assertion of Caesar's authority and Caesar’s image. In God’s creation one thing bears His image and his authority; us .Our hearts carry the divine law “ the light that lighteth every man ( John 1 ) .We are made in the image of God. We owe Him.
Questions
What do we learn about Jesus from how He dealt with the questioners?
What do we owe the state?.
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