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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion March 24, 2007 Church and State |
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Frontline Devotion for Saturday, March 24, 2007 by Fritz Foltz
Mark 12: 13-17
Almost all of us know Jesus’ famous answer “Give to Caesar what is his and to God what is His”. None of us, however, are sure what Jesus meant. The answer has been interpreted in every way possible throughout history and even in the New Testament itself. So how am I to treat my government?
Mark makes clear this is a trap, something like a modern news commentator asking a loaded question about support for the war and insisting the answer be “yes” or “no” without any explanation. The commentator then twists the answer to show you are a traitor.
You sense the trick question coming when his enemies sweet talk Jesus and then incorrectly define impartial as bipartisan or having no position on a controversial issue. They suppose his answer will either alienate the group that says pay your taxes so Rome will allow us to practice our religion and the other group that claims religion necessitates our political rule so we should not support Rome in any way.
Jesus’ answer is pretty much a riddle. We use it to support the modern separation of Church and state, but it has also been used to support every conceivable relationship between the two. Even in the New Testament Paul claims Christians should support the empire, and Revelation insists they should oppose it. We are able to do this, because Jesus answers the question in the tricky way it was asked. It all depends on how you define his terms. After all, the faith has always maintained everything belongs to God.
So how should you relate to your government? There is no absolute answer. It all depends on what is going on. We can certainly support the government when it is fulfilling its role justly, but we can also take a stand when it is not, and especially when it opposes what Christ calls us to do. The early Church paid taxes to Rome for 300 years but refused to worship the emperor or to shed blood in his army.
Jesus certainly gives us reason to refuse being trapped by trick questions. But his conduct also says there is a time to take unpopular stands against the powers that be. Remember in the end Jesus’ answer does not release the trap. His enemies execute him as a political revolutionary, an enemy of religion and the state.
Support the powers of this world when they truly care for people. But don’t be afraid to speak for Christ when they don’t.
Let us pray: Thank you, Father, for all the gifts given trough our government. Provide her with wise and compassionate leaders that the needs of all might be served. And make each of us advocates for peace and justice. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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