TWO KINGDOMS

Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words. 16 They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know You are a man of integrity and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because You pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is Your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap Me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought Him a denarius, 20 and He asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then He said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.

In a report in USA Today, Rick Hampton wrote, "The young generally don't have the old-time political religion. They look at voting and see a quaint, irrational act." One graduate was quoted as saying, "I don't care enough to care about why I don't care."

I wonder if this is the way many Jesus-followers view their civic responsibility. What should shape our thinking as it relates to our civic duty in our world?

Jesus helps us to think clearly about this issue. You see, the Jewish people were under Roman authority, and they would say, "Given the reality of our current political situation, should we even pay taxes to Caesar?" When the Pharisees, along with some Herod supporters, posed the tax question to Jesus, they were trying to trap Him. If He said, "Pay taxes to Caesar," many of the Jews would be upset because He was affirming Caesar's authority. If, on the other hand, He said, "Don't pay taxes to Caesar," the political authorities would be ticked.

Jesus' amazing answer (Matthew 22:20-21) gives us at least three significant insights:

* We live in a world with two kingdoms--Caesar's kingdom (human, political authority) and God's kingdom (spiritual authority). These kingdoms battle for our allegiance.

* We have responsibilities to both kingdoms. Our responsibilities in human government include paying taxes, honoring political leaders, and voting. Praying for and submitting to political leaders are two of our spiritual responsibilities in God's kingdom.

* Our greater duty is to God and His kingdom. Jesus' point was that while we have obligations to Caesar, we have a greater responsibility to God.

David gives us perspective: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). Our ultimate hope is not in human government; it's in the sovereign purpose of God. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* What is my responsibility for being a good citizen?
* What positive support can I give to my government leaders?
* In trying to please God, under what circumstances can I disobey the clear commands of political leaders?

LINKS:
Dual Citizenship
http://www.christianitytoday.com/moi/2004/004/jul/5.5.html

bottom line: All governments are placed in power by God.

soul journey