WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 Good morning, church. 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:11.220 Our sermon text for today is Luke chapter 20, verses 19 through 26. 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:15.080 That's page 826 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:15.900 --> 00:00:17.480 Let me invite you to turn there with me. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:23.379 Luke chapter 20, verses 19 through 26, page 826. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:29.420 Let me pray, and then I'll read for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.399 Amen. 00:00:33.340 --> 00:00:41.219 O Lord God, we pray with the psalmist that the words of our mouths and the meditations of 00:00:41.219 --> 00:00:44.159 our hearts would be acceptable and pleasing in your sight. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:50.159 O Lord, you and you alone are our rock and our redeemer. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:56.939 So we pray that through attending to your word this morning, that truth would become more 00:00:56.939 --> 00:01:02.579 and more real to our hearts, that you are an immovable rock and you are a gracious, merciful, 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:04.379 faithful redeemer. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:07.400 We pray this in the name of Christ, our Lord. 00:01:07.539 --> 00:01:07.799 Amen. 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:12.400 Luke 20, verses 19 through 26. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:17.620 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him, that is, Jesus, at that 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:18.460 very hour. 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:24.300 For they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:30.380 So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be sincere that they might catch him in something 00:01:30.380 --> 00:01:35.160 he said so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:42.500 So they asked him, teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly and show no partiality, 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:44.200 but truly teach the way of God. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:48.459 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:55.539 But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, show me a denarius. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:01:59.620 Whose likeness and inscription does it have? 00:02:00.900 --> 00:02:03.140 They said, Caesar's. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:10.580 He said to them, then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things 00:02:10.580 --> 00:02:11.360 that are God's. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:16.780 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:19.439 marveling at his answer, they became silent. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:28.759 Well, we've all heard it said that the two things you should never discuss in polite company 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:31.460 are religion and politics. 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:39.379 But our text this morning forces us to face these twin issues head on. 00:02:41.240 --> 00:02:46.000 In particular, the question is, how should Christians relate to the governing authorities? 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:49.460 Now, that's a tricky question. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:57.020 And history has shown that when we get it wrong, well, the consequences can be pretty far ranging 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.460 and often pretty damaging to the gospel. 00:03:00.320 --> 00:03:02.080 So this is an important question. 00:03:04.880 --> 00:03:07.960 Now, I think as humans, we often can fall into two traps. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:12.660 Either we can demonize governing authority. 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:16.939 That is, we view it as corrupt and evil, and therefore we want nothing to do with it. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.280 We despair over it. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:22.740 Or on the other hand, we can deify governing authority. 00:03:23.659 --> 00:03:28.520 That is, we view it as the ultimate source of what's really going to make things better. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:32.599 And therefore, we invest it with our hope, with our trust, with our allegiance. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:38.479 Now, of course, few of us fall completely into one trap or the other, but that doesn't make 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:41.459 the question any less difficult or any less important. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:50.819 But what for us is an important and difficult question was, in Jesus' day, a dangerous question. 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:54.560 Now, remember where we are in the Gospel of Luke. 00:03:54.979 --> 00:04:00.099 Jesus has just entered Jerusalem, and his conflict with the religious authorities, that 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:05.319 is, the scribes and the chief priests, those who sort of controlled the temple system, that 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:06.959 conflict is coming to a head. 00:04:06.960 --> 00:04:13.580 And Jesus has just told a parable in verses 9 through 18 of Luke, warning the temple leaders 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:20.420 that if they continue to reject him, they will find themselves, in fact, rejecting God's 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.280 own authority. 00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:25.879 And so, the religious leaders have had enough. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:29.319 They want Jesus eliminated, out of the picture. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:40.339 But the people, the people are enthusiastic about this young, vibrant teacher from Galilee. 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:46.019 Some even think that he is the long-awaited liberator, the Messiah. 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:54.859 So, the scribes and chief priests, rather than risk a confrontation with the people and falling 00:04:54.859 --> 00:05:02.979 out of their favor, they send what Luke calls spies, who pretend to be sincere, but in reality, 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:07.680 they're out to catch Jesus in something he says in verse 20. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:11.600 That is, they want to trap him in his words. 00:05:12.340 --> 00:05:12.780 Why? 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:15.139 So, they can hand him over to the Roman governor, Pilate. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:20.040 You see, the Jewish authorities in that time, living under Roman rule, didn't have the authority 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:22.259 to sentence someone to death. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:24.939 But the Roman governor did. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:36.019 And so, in an attempt to trap Jesus, these spies ask him, under the guise of much flattery, 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:39.220 you can hear them just laying it on really thick, can't you? 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:44.220 They ask a seemingly innocent, but in reality, a dangerous question. 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:49.259 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:55.420 Jesus, how should we relate to this governing authority? 00:05:58.439 --> 00:06:02.039 So, this morning, first, I want to take a look at this question in a little more depth, 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:05.539 and then we're going to look at Jesus' two-fold response. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:10.180 And then third, I want to consider why this question can be so difficult for us. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:11.899 So, that's where we're headed. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:15.839 The question, Jesus' response, and then our hearts. 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:17.959 So, first, let's look at the question. 00:06:17.959 --> 00:06:25.620 Now, the tribute in question here is actually a particular tax that the Roman Empire would 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:28.579 levy on people, groups, and kingdoms that they had conquered. 00:06:29.479 --> 00:06:34.199 This is the sort of tax that back in Luke chapter 2, you remember, Caesar Augustus was 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:37.259 taking a census, right? 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:38.500 We read that every Christmas time. 00:06:38.560 --> 00:06:39.299 He was taking a census. 00:06:39.399 --> 00:06:40.399 Well, why was he taking a census? 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:45.199 He was taking a census so he could lay a tax on them and burden them with a taxation. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:53.819 And this question that these spies asked isn't whether or not such taxes in general are 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:55.099 necessary or legitimate. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:59.719 It's a question of whether it's lawful for us to pay them. 00:07:01.039 --> 00:07:08.300 That is, good, faithful Jews who, according to the law of Moses, are to have one God and 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:09.600 one Lord only. 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:14.240 Is it lawful for us to pay his tax? 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:20.259 It's a brilliant trap if you think about it. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:26.319 One can almost see their self-satisfaction as they ask it. 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:27.600 We've got him. 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:30.640 After all, think about it. 00:07:30.780 --> 00:07:38.220 If Jesus says, yes, it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar, then he risks alienating himself 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:39.520 from the people. 00:07:40.080 --> 00:07:43.900 The people who hate Caesar and his oppressive taxes. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:48.500 The people who just, days before, were heralding him as their king. 00:07:49.140 --> 00:07:53.580 The people whose admiration at that very moment is the only thing keeping the scribes and the 00:07:53.580 --> 00:07:55.260 chief priests from openly arresting him. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:08:03.599 What's more, if Jesus says, yes, he could even be accused of disloyalty to the God of Israel. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:10.920 After all, Caesar made the most blasphemous claims about himself, and those claims were 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:13.459 written on every single Roman coin. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.659 What did Caesar call himself? 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:19.719 Lord, Savior, Son of the Gods. 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:25.120 Was Jesus going to suggest that we endorse those claims? 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.500 By paying tribute? 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:32.240 But think about if Jesus says, no. 00:08:33.319 --> 00:08:35.379 No, it's not lawful to give tribute to Caesar. 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:39.360 Well, then, it's not hard to see. 00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:41.639 He would be accused of sedition. 00:08:42.419 --> 00:08:44.919 Sedition against the state, political insurrection. 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:52.840 And Rome had little patience and little mercy for rebels in their empire, especially in backwoods 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:55.100 areas like Judea. 00:08:57.040 --> 00:08:59.360 And so, the trap is laid. 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:05.360 And they're going to catch Jesus either being disloyal to Israel on one hand or disloyal 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:06.259 to Caesar on the other. 00:09:06.540 --> 00:09:08.980 One answer will prove him to be an enemy of the people. 00:09:08.980 --> 00:09:11.399 The other will prove him to be an enemy of the state. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:18.679 And so, how will Jesus answer this difficult, this even dangerous question? 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:23.039 Will he demonize the state? 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.340 Rejecting its claims? 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:28.159 Advocating for withdrawal? 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:34.939 Or will he deify the state, rendering it unyielding obedience and allegiance? 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:40.480 And those are the traps before us too, aren't they? 00:09:42.319 --> 00:09:46.259 Sometimes we can get so frustrated with the governing authorities, can't we? 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:47.980 We see the flaws. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:49.419 We see the hypocrisies. 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:51.659 We see the failure to bring about change. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:53.379 And we just want to give up altogether. 00:09:53.379 --> 00:10:01.080 But on the other hand, sometimes we see the power. 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:02.139 We see the influence. 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:03.139 We see the importance. 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:09.740 Sometimes we can place so much emphasis and trust in it, so much of our hope in it, that 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.840 it ends up stealing our heart's allegiance. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.580 How do we get out of this trap? 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:22.779 The answer Jesus gives is brief. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:25.100 Yet, brilliant. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:32.919 And it contains the seed of all clear thinking and acting when it comes to the question of 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.220 how Christians ought to relate to the governing authorities. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:42.779 And note, lest we think that Jesus' answer here is just a clever way in the moment of avoiding 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:48.639 arrest, consider how his opponents respond at the end of our passage. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:53.379 They're not frustrated because he slipped away. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:56.379 They're not plotting their next question. 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:59.159 They marvel, Luke says. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:06.019 And that tells me that Jesus' answer struck even his enemies as more than just a clever answer 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:07.219 to avoid trouble. 00:11:07.579 --> 00:11:10.719 They marvel because he's actually answered their question. 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:16.360 He's answered an insincere question with a genuine answer. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:21.159 That is exactly what their flattery said. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:25.680 Truthful, rightly, and without partiality. 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:28.559 So what is that answer? 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:30.919 Well, it's twofold. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:36.339 First, Jesus says, we must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:40.339 Now, the first thing Jesus does, seeing through their flattery and their craftiness, is he asks 00:11:40.339 --> 00:11:41.139 them for a denarius. 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.819 Now, a denarius was a silver coin. 00:11:43.939 --> 00:11:45.539 It was Roman currency. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:48.159 It was worth about a day's wage for a common laborer. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:51.399 This is the kind of coin that they would use to pay the tax. 00:11:51.419 --> 00:11:52.039 And what happens? 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:57.139 Out of their own pockets, they pull out the Roman money. 00:11:59.459 --> 00:12:01.819 Proving that they themselves use it. 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:03.699 They rely on it. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:04.839 They trade with it. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:06.399 They buy and sell with it. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:10.639 They, too, are participants in the Roman system. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:15.799 And then Jesus asks, whose likeness and inscription does it have? 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:20.059 You see, as I mentioned earlier, on a Roman denarius, there would be a picture that is 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.279 a likeness of Caesar's head. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.059 And there would be an inscription written on it. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:31.519 And on a lot of denarii in that time, the inscription read, Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the deified 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.179 Augustus. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:40.359 So Jesus says, whose likeness, whose inscription, and out of their own mouths, they have to answer 00:12:40.359 --> 00:12:43.979 and say, Caesar, it's his image on the coin. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:52.319 Jesus forces his opponents to admit, then, that they are participants in the Roman system, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:53.599 whether they like it or not. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.719 They cannot escape it. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:13:01.000 They use Caesar's coins, then use them to pay Caesar's tax. 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:04.219 Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:15.840 Now, if we press into this a little deeper, we see that Jesus is showing them that there is an unavoidable 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:21.620 and somewhat legitimate authority that the governing authorities possess. 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.759 It's not ultimate authority. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.600 It's not unquestionable authority. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:27.480 But it's real nonetheless. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:33.159 And the rest of the New Testament is going to unpack this a little bit for us. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:39.100 In Romans 13.1, the Apostle Paul is going to unfold some of what Jesus is teaching here, 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:46.420 saying that governing authorities are actually part of God's providential plan to maintain civil order. 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:52.960 What means has God instituted to keep human society from spinning into anarchy and injustice? 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:59.940 Part of the answer is, God has instituted human governing authorities. 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:02.360 They are imperfect, yes. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:06.360 But that's still part of how God chooses to rule his world. 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:10.320 And because this is the way God providentially orders things, 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:13.139 listen to what Paul will say in Romans 13.1-7. 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:14.980 He says, 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:17.340 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:21.980 For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:26.120 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.019 and those who resist will incur judgment. 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:32.000 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.980 Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:39.659 Then do it as good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:44.139 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:48.459 For he is a servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:54.179 Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. 00:14:55.299 --> 00:15:00.860 For because of this, you also pay taxes for the authorities or ministers of God attending to this very thing. 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:05.000 Pay to all what is owed to them, taxes to whom taxes are owed, 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:07.039 revenue to whom revenue is owed, 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.100 respect to whom respect is owed, 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.120 honor to whom honor is owed. 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:15.879 Now, if you're like me, 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:19.740 the first thing you think when you hear a passage like that is, 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:21.980 are you kidding me? 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:24.960 Human governments are so corrupt. 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:28.480 How can Paul say that they're instituted by God? 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:30.680 But, 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.279 if anyone knew 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.940 that human rulers 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.940 were corrupt, 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.160 it was the Apostle Paul. 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:41.940 The Roman Empire was pagan, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.080 pragmatic, 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.040 brutal, 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.300 and militaristic. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:49.420 Paul had spent many nights in a Roman jail. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:53.139 He was no stranger to political injustice. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:56.139 So, Paul can't be saying, 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.460 he is not saying, 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:59.379 that every government is, 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:01.620 in and of itself, 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:03.100 honoring to God. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:07.279 Paul isn't saying that there's no room for civil disobedience, 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.899 or protest, 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:10.539 or seeking to change how governments think and work. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.439 In fact, 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:15.939 many scholars think that one of the main reasons Luke wrote the book of Acts 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:21.600 was to influence prevailing Roman opinion about the legality of Christianity in the empire. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:26.320 There's a very book in the New Testament that's trying to change how people think 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:29.460 when it comes to political policies. 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:33.900 But what Paul is saying, 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:38.519 in line with what Jesus himself taught in our text in Luke 20, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:40.420 is that human governments, 00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:43.400 under God's ultimate providential authority, 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:48.200 have been instituted to exercise a limited degree of power. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:50.200 And in that respect, 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:53.440 we must render to them what they are due. 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.340 Taxes where taxes are due. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.000 Yes. 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:03.860 Despite the high rates of taxation in Connecticut, 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:06.140 we should still pay our taxes as Christians. 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:08.299 I know, that just makes you want to groan. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:12.259 Revenue to whom revenue is owed. 00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:14.559 Respect to whom respect is owed. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.620 Honor to whom honor is owed. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:19.459 And you know, 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.839 this line of thinking isn't just unique to the Apostle Paul. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:25.799 Listen to what Peter says in 1 Peter 2, 13 through 17. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.199 The Apostle Peter says, 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:31.000 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.819 whether it be to the governor as supreme, 00:17:34.239 --> 00:17:35.219 to the emperor as supreme, 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:35.579 excuse me, 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:38.619 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:40.000 and to praise those who do good. 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.619 For this is the will of God, 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:42.679 that by doing good, 00:17:42.959 --> 00:17:45.699 you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:48.539 Live as people who are free. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:51.799 Not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.420 but living as servants of God. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.380 Honor everyone. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.000 Love the brotherhood. 00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.100 Fear God. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.360 Honor the emperor. 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:05.579 The consistent teaching of Jesus and the apostles then 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:08.779 is that we must respect the limited authority 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:11.399 God has granted to human governing institutions. 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.419 We should pay taxes. 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:14.899 We should honor those in leadership positions. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:17.219 We should obey the laws of the land 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:19.759 insofar as they do not contradict God's laws. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.359 Paul even says in 1 Timothy 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:25.799 that we should pray for kings and all those in high positions, 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:28.539 which is the passage Greg read out for us earlier. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:33.220 And remember that all this is laid down 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:35.619 with the unflinching realism 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:38.859 that governing authorities will be imperfect 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:41.139 and even at times unjust. 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:47.120 Now, the New Testament obviously was written 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:50.259 in a time when the prevailing form of government 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.180 was an empire. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:56.040 And today, we live in a representative democracy. 00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:59.140 It's more than a little different, isn't it? 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.820 So what does rendering to Caesar 00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:04.620 what belongs to Caesar mean for us 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:06.820 in a time when the form of human government 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.560 is quite different? 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:11.460 Well, some have suggested 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:13.159 that in our day, 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.759 rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:19.500 now entails meaningful participation 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:22.839 in government insofar as we are called. 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:28.299 For many, this means voting in elections, 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.500 serving in jury duty, 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:34.379 which I had the honor of doing this month. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:34.740 Yay! 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:34.980 Yay! 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.940 For some, 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.599 for some of us, 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.160 we'll be called. 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:40.880 Well, friends, 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.500 part of what it means 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.839 to be the church of Jesus Christ 00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:45.099 is to bear one another's burdens 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:47.900 and to not be so stuck 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.640 in our own purposes and plans 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:51.240 that we fail to forget 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.700 that we're real living human beings 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.839 sitting next to each other 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:56.039 who need love and care and support. 00:19:56.960 --> 00:19:59.359 So thank God for that reminder this morning. 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:02.939 And thank God that we're reminded 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:04.819 of our own frailty, right? 00:20:05.479 --> 00:20:06.000 You know, 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:10.059 a lot of us in this room are young 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:12.179 and yet we need to have the reminder 00:20:12.179 --> 00:20:13.859 from those who are a little further 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:15.119 down the race than us 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:17.879 that this is a finite life that we live. 00:20:18.439 --> 00:20:20.339 And we start our life in dependence 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.899 and we will end our life in dependence. 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.519 And part of what it means 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.659 to prepare to meet God 00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:27.679 is to grow into that second dependence 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:29.440 and to be okay with that 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:31.299 and to let that be a testimony 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.640 to the goodness of God 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:35.680 and the faithfulness of God 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.000 and the trustworthiness of God. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.600 I think Fred's going to be okay. 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:41.880 If they're taking him to the hospital, 00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:42.940 he's going to be all right. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.500 He fainted. 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:47.400 But let's not lose the opportunity 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.840 that God's given us this morning 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:51.160 to attend to one another 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:53.000 and to attend to ultimate realities. 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:54.580 So why don't we pray? 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.519 I'm going to preach the rest 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.759 of this sermon to you guys 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.079 and then we're going to eat 00:20:59.079 --> 00:20:59.980 the Lord's Supper together. 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.700 Does that sound good? 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:01.920 Let's do that. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:04.259 Lord Jesus, we are grateful 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.559 that you are a good shepherd 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.859 and you love your sheep. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:11.660 And Lord, that the trials and hardships 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.900 we go through in this life, 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.019 we don't go through them alone. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:17.119 Jesus, you are truly God with us 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:19.779 in the good times and in the bad times 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.879 and sickness and in health. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.660 And Lord, what a privilege it is 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:24.220 that we as brothers and sisters 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:26.299 get to be present to one another 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.980 in that same way 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:30.140 and get to be a reflection of you, 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.660 Lord Jesus. 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.940 So God, we do pray for Fred. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.360 We pray for restored health. 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.440 God, we pray for good care 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.100 at the hospital. 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:38.700 God, we pray that good friends 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.559 would surround him 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.480 and encourage him 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.180 to place his hope in Jesus. 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.539 We ask all this in Christ's name. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.059 Amen. 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:45.180 Amen. 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.420 Growing up, 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:52.539 when the pastor would go over time, 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.839 he would usually say something 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:55.720 about a roast burning at home. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.639 I don't think anyone has a roast 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.619 in the oven these days, 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.859 but it's probably going to burn 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.359 if you do. 00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.879 We're going to keep going. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.000 So friends, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.299 we've looked at the first half 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.759 of what Jesus tells us 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.240 when it comes to how we ought to relate 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.619 to human governing authorities. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.819 And he says, 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:16.539 we ought to render to Caesar 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:18.359 what belongs to Caesar. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.940 There is a certain limited 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:22.880 but legitimate authority 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:25.660 that human governing structures have, 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.860 and we ought to render them 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.620 what is their due. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.220 However, 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:31.120 a lot of that's going to take 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.779 prayerful, 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:32.820 biblical, 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.620 communal discernment 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:36.640 as to what that actually looks like. 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.820 Jesus lays down a principle 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:40.440 that we then have to apply. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.320 So a lot of these things 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:43.400 will need to be worked out 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.259 together, 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.160 prayerfully. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.700 But the biggest thing 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.460 we need to remember 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:49.680 as we go about doing that work 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.560 is that we remember 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:52.340 the second half 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.360 of what Jesus says 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.460 in verse 25, 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.460 and that is 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:58.080 that we must render to God 00:22:58.080 --> 00:22:59.779 the things that are God's. 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.840 There is a certain duty 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.600 or obligation 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.340 that we owe 00:23:04.340 --> 00:23:05.640 to the governing authorities, 00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:07.240 but Jesus is clear 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:09.019 that our ultimate allegiance 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:11.259 must always and only 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:13.080 belong to God alone. 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:13.340 You see, 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.940 there's a subtle 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.019 but maybe not so subtle 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.120 connection that Jesus 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:18.120 is making here, right? 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.579 There's an image 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.699 on the coins, 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:22.639 the image of Caesar, 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.259 and therefore 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.299 render it to Caesar. 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:25.779 But there's another image. 00:23:26.239 --> 00:23:27.859 There's an image on you, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.559 God's own image. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.439 And therefore, 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.599 you must render to God 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.619 what belongs to God. 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:35.259 You must render 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.379 your whole self 00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.279 to God. 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.439 God is the creator 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.979 and the sustainer 00:23:40.979 --> 00:23:42.199 of everything. 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.679 Everything belongs to him. 00:23:45.719 --> 00:23:46.459 Caesar's authority 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.180 is limited. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:48.100 It's temporary. 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.019 It's finite. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.860 God's authority, 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.440 God's ownership, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.720 God's rulership 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.740 is unlimited 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.819 and forever 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.779 and ultimate. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.799 Everything belongs to him. 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.340 Our bodies, 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.740 our minds, 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.140 our time, 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.259 our money, 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:07.100 everything belongs 00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:08.640 first and foremost 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.420 to him. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:12.019 And that means 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.340 when we relate 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.380 to governing authorities, 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:16.080 we must never fall 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:17.480 into the trap 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:19.020 of placing 00:24:19.020 --> 00:24:20.740 our unyielding hope 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.520 or trust 00:24:21.520 --> 00:24:22.740 in any one 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.920 political party 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.320 or political cause 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.800 or political project. 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.500 And I think 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.020 where the rubber 00:24:30.020 --> 00:24:30.860 meets the road 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.900 for us today 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:34.220 is that if we think, 00:24:34.260 --> 00:24:35.120 if we think 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.120 that being a Christian 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.880 means 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:38.980 an exclusive allegiance 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.360 to this political party 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.820 or that political party, 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.659 whether Republican 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:43.659 or Democrat 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:45.019 or anything else, 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.139 if we think 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:46.859 that's what it means 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.460 to be a Christian, 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:49.599 to yield unyielding allegiance 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:51.480 to a particular party, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.879 then we have failed 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.059 to render to God 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:55.139 the things that are God's. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.159 Jesus is saying 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.960 our ultimate citizenship 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.799 as the church 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.619 is in heaven. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.039 God alone 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.659 is our hope 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:03.159 and trust 00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.139 and the gospel 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:05.039 of Jesus Christ 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:06.039 and the kingdom of God 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:07.399 is neither Republican 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.599 nor Democrat. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:11.740 Now that's not to say 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.500 that a Christian 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:14.279 can't be a member 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.539 of a political party. 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.699 That too can be 00:25:16.699 --> 00:25:17.879 maybe part of what it means 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.659 to render to Caesar 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.659 the things that are Caesar's. 00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:21.719 But we must always 00:25:21.719 --> 00:25:22.939 keep our feet 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:24.399 firmly planted 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.139 in the soil 00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.379 of rendering to God 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:28.099 what belongs to God. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.240 And you see, 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.219 when we've rendered to God 00:25:32.219 --> 00:25:33.159 the things that are God's, 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.399 that is when we've rendered 00:25:34.399 --> 00:25:35.480 our ultimate allegiance 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.839 to him and him alone, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:38.539 something incredible. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.079 happens. 00:25:39.719 --> 00:25:42.679 When we get that alignment right. 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.319 On the one hand, 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:47.000 we're able to be bold 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.519 and truthful 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.579 about what we think 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.719 is for the common good. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.919 We're able to articulate 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:53.240 ideas winsomely 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.480 even when they're unpopular. 00:25:54.959 --> 00:25:55.839 It gives us a certain 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.639 amount of boldness. 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.699 But it also gives us 00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:00.719 at the same time 00:26:00.719 --> 00:26:02.259 the right kind of humility 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.719 and distance that we need. 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.679 At the same time, 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.000 we're able to critique 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.539 not just the shortcomings 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.799 of other political parties 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.339 or ideas, 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.180 whichever they may be, 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.119 but we're able to critique 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.619 our own 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:15.680 and listen to critiques 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.220 of our own. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.440 And we're able to have 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:20.019 charitable conversations 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.980 with other Christians 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.799 and non-Christians 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.599 about the difficult issues 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.380 where we disagree. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:27.519 And we're able 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.539 to be honest 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:30.019 about the shortcomings 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:31.240 of our political leaders. 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:34.000 just like Paul and Peter 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.819 when they dealt with Rome. 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.519 They were not trying 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.220 to whitewash 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.099 governing authorities 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.660 into something 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.259 they were not. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.279 These are some 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.099 of the signs 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:46.019 that we're rendering 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.480 to God 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.339 the things that are God 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.960 while we render 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.440 to Caesar 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.400 the things that are Caesar. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.599 Do you see that ability 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.539 in your own heart 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.299 to be able 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.279 to do those things? 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.660 The church 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.640 should be the place 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:58.380 that leads the way 00:26:58.380 --> 00:27:00.540 in this kind of 00:27:00.540 --> 00:27:02.040 approach 00:27:02.040 --> 00:27:03.220 and critical distance 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.700 to what's happening 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.920 with governing authorities. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.920 For Christians, 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.160 our citizenship 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:12.340 is ultimately in heaven, 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.440 as Paul says 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.440 in Philippians 3.20. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.880 And again, 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.580 that doesn't mean 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.840 withdrawal from the world. 00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:18.720 We have to render 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.080 to Caesar 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:20.000 the things that are Caesar's. 00:27:20.060 --> 00:27:20.540 We have to seek 00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.200 to love our neighbor 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.700 as ourself. 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.860 But it does mean 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:23.759 that as we engage 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.180 in the world, 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.259 we do it with a hope 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.160 and with a confidence 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.880 that's not rooted 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.640 in this world. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:31.140 And so we don't despair. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.640 But neither 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.060 do we make Caesar 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:35.700 our Lord. 00:27:38.820 --> 00:27:39.980 And so there's the answer. 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.900 There's the principle 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.019 that Jesus lays out for us. 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:42.759 How should Christians 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.820 relate to governing authorities? 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:44.460 We have to render 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.860 to Caesar 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:45.900 the things that are Caesar's. 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:46.360 That is, 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.240 we have to respect 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.820 and responsibly engage 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:49.980 in the governing institutions 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.620 over us. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.660 But ultimately, 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.440 we have to render 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.980 to God 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.040 the things that are God's. 00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:54.240 That is, 00:27:54.300 --> 00:27:55.600 give our unyielding allegiance 00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.259 to God 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.319 and God alone. 00:28:00.219 --> 00:28:00.699 And yet, 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.159 this brings us 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:01.539 to the third 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:01.959 and last thing, 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.259 doesn't it? 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:03.079 That that is a lot 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.079 easier said than done. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:07.039 Why is it so hard? 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:08.819 I mean, 00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.199 on paper, 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:09.819 we get that, 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.079 right? 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:10.519 Like, 00:28:10.679 --> 00:28:10.819 yeah, 00:28:10.959 --> 00:28:11.139 duh. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:11.919 Give God 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:13.139 your unyielding allegiance. 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:14.399 You know, 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.879 respect the limited authority 00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.659 that government has. 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:17.919 Don't get too caught up in it. 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:19.959 And yet, 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.740 it's really difficult, 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.199 isn't it? 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:23.000 And we live in a time 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:24.000 where that's very difficult. 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.100 Well, 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.759 there are lots of reasons 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.319 why it's difficult, 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:30.840 lots of things 00:28:30.840 --> 00:28:31.539 we could come up with. 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.799 But let me point to just one thing 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.840 that we see here in Luke. 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.700 And that thing is fear. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.620 Look again at verse 19. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.740 The religious authorities 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.819 don't dare 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.299 come after Jesus openly 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:46.220 because they're afraid 00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:47.180 of the people. 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:51.900 They're afraid 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.380 that the people 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.380 might turn against them. 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:55.460 But they're not just afraid 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.320 of what the people might do. 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.279 Reading between the lines, 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.060 they're also afraid 00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:59.060 of what Caesar might do. 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.320 Jesus, 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.740 after all, 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.920 is claiming to be king. 00:29:02.620 --> 00:29:03.759 And if Pilate thinks 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.799 that these temple authorities 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.920 are on Jesus' side, 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.120 then Pilate's going to make sure 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.100 that those temple authorities 00:29:08.100 --> 00:29:08.660 pay too. 00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:10.480 And then who knows 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.039 what will happen? 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.900 But even deeper, 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.680 under the fear 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.200 of the people, 00:29:16.320 --> 00:29:17.000 under the fear 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.559 of Rome, 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:19.380 I think is the fear, 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.400 and this is clear 00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.220 as you look at the rest 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.920 of Luke's gospel, 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.160 the fear that they will 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:25.440 lose their power. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:28.119 And if they lose their power, 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.880 well, what then? 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.079 I think that under much 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:36.539 of the church's struggle 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.579 to relate rightly 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:39.099 to governing authorities today 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.759 is also fear. 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.859 Fear of what people 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.740 might think of us. 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.839 Fear of where the future 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.339 is headed. 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:49.519 Fear of losing power 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.359 and influence. 00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:53.199 But in the midst 00:29:53.199 --> 00:29:54.099 of our fears, 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.240 we have to look 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.779 not just to Jesus' 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.619 teaching 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:58.879 in this passage. 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.579 We have to look 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.759 at Jesus himself. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.539 Consider how the rest 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.339 of Luke's gospel unfolds. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.679 Soon the Jewish authorities 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:12.899 will arrest Jesus 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:14.180 at night, 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.560 away from the crowds. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.660 And then they will think 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.480 that they are rendering 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.140 to Caesar 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.440 what belongs to Caesar. 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.280 Jesus is a criminal 00:30:23.280 --> 00:30:24.820 and they will render 00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:25.259 to Caesar 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.900 such a criminal 00:30:25.900 --> 00:30:26.580 for punishment. 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:30.200 But as they render 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.500 Jesus over to Caesar, 00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:33.180 Jesus in that same moment 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:35.300 is making another 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:37.360 much more profound move. 00:30:38.560 --> 00:30:40.000 Jesus in that very moment 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.960 of being rendered over 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.480 to Caesar 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:43.100 is going to be rendering 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.840 to God 00:30:43.840 --> 00:30:45.420 what belongs to God. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.600 Jesus is going 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.799 to render to God 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:50.319 the perfect payment 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:52.680 for our human sin. 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.920 All the times 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.059 that we placed 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.759 our trust 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.819 in human governing 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.480 institutions 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.500 to do what only God 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.900 can do. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.299 All the times 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.120 that out of an allegiance 00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:03.400 to a particular project 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.600 we've let our own 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:06.120 obedience to God 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:07.120 slip by the way. 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:08.640 All the times 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.779 in which we've defamed 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.839 the name of Christ. 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.799 All the times 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.460 in which we've made 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.319 Caesar Lord. 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.579 All these things 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.299 which deserve 00:31:17.299 --> 00:31:18.220 God's just 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.799 and righteous punishment. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:21.379 Jesus in that moment 00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:23.220 is rendering to God 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.799 what belongs to God 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.019 on our behalf 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.740 and paying it in full. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.799 The Apostle John says 00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:35.420 perfect love 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:37.600 drives out fear. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.220 And friends 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.880 as the church 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:41.900 of Jesus Christ 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.900 we know 00:31:42.900 --> 00:31:44.480 that we have been shown 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:46.539 perfect love. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.920 All that we owe 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.560 to God 00:31:49.560 --> 00:31:50.759 has been rendered 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.400 in full 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.140 by Christ. 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.660 And on the third day 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.660 Jesus rose 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:55.240 from the grave 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.100 to prove 00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:56.779 that it had been 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.580 paid in full 00:31:57.580 --> 00:31:59.320 and to conquer death. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:02.220 what is it 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.220 you're afraid of? 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.519 All the little deaths 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.439 that drive us 00:32:07.439 --> 00:32:08.220 to be afraid 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:09.740 and to seek our hope 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.759 and our trust 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.319 in some kind 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.500 of human institution. 00:32:13.179 --> 00:32:14.439 Jesus has conquered 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:15.659 and risen victoriously 00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.960 over all of our fears 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.279 including the most 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.339 basic fear of all 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:20.159 our fear of death. 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.119 And then Jesus 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:24.119 ascended to the right 00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:24.879 hand of God 00:32:24.879 --> 00:32:25.519 Paul says 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.740 far above all rule 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.539 and all authority 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.480 and all dominion. 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:30.099 that the one 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:30.960 who sits on the throne 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.700 of the universe 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:33.200 is the king of love 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.140 who will make sure 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:36.700 that nothing 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:38.720 will harm his people 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.640 in an ultimate way. 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.640 You see there's nothing 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.380 we need to fear 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:45.740 because Jesus 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:47.299 not Caesar 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.039 is Lord. 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.900 The psalmist says 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:52.019 some trust 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:53.259 in chariots 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:55.140 but we trust 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.059 in the name 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:57.579 of the Lord our God. 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.799 the name 00:32:58.799 --> 00:32:59.519 that we know 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.720 is the name 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.299 of Jesus. 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.659 So brothers and sisters 00:33:04.659 --> 00:33:05.439 render to Caesar 00:33:05.439 --> 00:33:06.480 what belongs to Caesar 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:08.240 but now 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.539 and forevermore 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:11.039 let the church 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.379 be known 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:12.059 as the place 00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.879 where we render 00:33:12.879 --> 00:33:13.399 to God 00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.139 what belongs 00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:14.679 to God. 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.939 All our love 00:33:15.939 --> 00:33:16.759 all our praise 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.740 all our confidence 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.639 all our hope 00:33:18.639 --> 00:33:20.799 and let that be 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.559 good news 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.939 to everyone 00:33:22.939 --> 00:33:23.699 who sees it. 00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:24.879 Amen? 00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:25.960 Amen. 00:33:25.960 --> 00:33:26.500 Let's pray. 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:30.960 Lord Jesus 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.500 as we come to your table now 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.059 we pray 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.700 that this would be 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:34.680 a moment for us 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.980 where we continue 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.519 to receive your gifts 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:40.220 and render back to you 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.220 what belongs to you 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.039 our whole selves. 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:43.940 Amen. 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.620 I wonder if those 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:45.980 who were helping