PENTECOST 23, A – October 19, 2008

SCRIPTURES - Isaiah 45:1-7; 1 Thess. 1:1-10; Matt. 22:15-22; Ps. 121

Politics is on everyone’s minds right now; we cannot escape it. The presidential election, along with other elections, is just 16 days away, and the airways and newspapers are filled with ads for candidates and causes, as well as with political discussions and analyses. Thanks to today’s Gospel reading it seems that we cannot even get away from politics in church! You know, salesmen and businessmen are taught that there are two things you are not supposed to talk about with a customer: politics and religion. I’m going to blow that piece of advice by talking about both.

First, regarding your government, Jesus says, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” Give to the government what you are required to give, such as taxes. This sounds pretty clear and straightforward; but there is more to it than that.

Throughout the history of our country there have been many people, both Christian and non-Christian, who have pointed to Jesus’ words, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” and said that He is teaching the separation of church and state. Church and state, religion and government, should be kept separate. Neither should speak to or seek to influence the other.

This is not at all what Jesus meant. With His answer Jesus doesn’t simply escape the trap the Pharisees had laid for Him of opposing either God or Caesar. He upholds God’s rule, both through His Church and through government, even a govern-ment that is led by unbelievers. Although they are distinct, God works through both.

Jesus knew the Scriptures, you see, such as today’s readings. Psalm 121, today’s Introit, praises God as the One who made, and rules, heaven and earth. Isaiah 45 speaks of King Cyrus of the Persians. Even though Cyrus does not believe in Him, God calls Cyrus “His anointed,” and says,

“I will go before you… For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me…”

God uses this unbelieving king to free the people of Israel from their captivity in Babylon and return them to Israel. He does God’s work, even though he doesn’t know it.

Government is instituted by God, and He works through it. By it He would protect life and keep peace and order in the world, that we might then be able to receive His blessings of food, drink, clothing, shelter, and all that we need in this life. For this reason we should give thanks to God for our government, especially we in this country who have enjoyed not only great peace and prosperity but also have been blessed with being able to participate in our government and elect our governing officials. We should be involved in our electoral process by learning about the candidates and issues and then voting for those who can best lead our government in its God-given work, and then pray for those we elect. This is our right and our God given responsibility! We are then helping to establish a good government, one which does not oppose God’s will,

q   such as by allowing the killing of human life through abortion or corrupting the foundational institution of marriage by promoting homosexual marriage,  but carries out the work that God gives it to do of protecting and supporting peoples’ lives. By rendering unto Caesar we also render unto God, who works through governments. He works in distinct ways through His Church and through government, yes; but God would work through both. Let us promote this by our own involvement in our government.

But, the most important thing we are to do is “render unto God the things that are God’s.” What is Jesus talking about? After all, all things belong to God, for He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

To know specifically what are the things of God that Jesus has in mind, we must consider what led Him to speak these words. Jesus was responding to a question from the Pharisees: a question that was asked, not out of respect and in order to learn, but because they wanted to entangle Him in His words. They spoke very flatteringly to Him: “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.” They did not believe this, however, but believed Him to be untrue and a deceiver. They went to Him, but with closed ears and hearts that would not listen but would judge.

Many church-goers approach Christ in this way: flattering Him with their presence, but not really listening to what He says or allowing His words to direct their faith and their lives, especially if what they hear in church differs from what they think. What about you?  Let’s look at a coin, as Jesus did. “In God we trust.” This is on our coins. Is it just words, just paying lip service to God, as the Pharisees gave to Jesus? Do you show your trust in God by your attitude toward money?

q   God says that you are to give of your money to His Church to support the work He does through His Church. He tells us to give generously and sacrificially, and in the Old Testament specifically required His people to give 10% of their income. This week sit down and take your total offering for the past two weeks and divide it by your pay for the last two weeks. What percentage are you giving to your Lord’s work? Does this show your trust in God and your glad obedience? Remember: you can’t fool God. He knows what you give, and the spirit with which you give it!

q   How much have you been worrying because of the stock market drop? Listen to your Savior, who says: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?… your heavenly Father knows that you need [these things]. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:25, 32-33)

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Seek Your Savior; hear, learn, believe, and then trust and follow His words. How greatly He will then comfort and strengthen you!

For you see, God’s Word tells us that in Jesus we have a Savior, One who has fully and perfectly “Rendered to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” He is God in the flesh, the Creator come into creation, to take creation – you and me and all people – upon Himself and offer us up to God. He offered up your sins – your sins of fear and worry, your doubt, your separating God from government and all of life by putting Him into a Sunday morning box and taking Him out only then. He has crucified all your sins and put them to death in His crucifixion. They are paid for and forgiven! Now, through faith in Jesus you are new creations. He has taken away the old and given you the new: Himself.

By His Word, which His Church proclaims, God gives us His Son to rule: over our sins by forgiving them and filling us with His Holy Spirit to bring forth good from us; over our death, for He will raise us from it and give us a new and eternal life; and over hell itself, for in Christ God has taken away our judgment and will bring us to heaven. This rule of Christ through His Church is eternal, and so is the most important rule of all. And, by the governments He has established, God rules to promote peace and life and prosperity in this sin-filled and corrupted world. Support your government in this, and so render to Caesar. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” in faith in Christ and to the glory of His name.