Opening Prayer
Lord, give us fear and obedience of God. Amen.
Text: Matthew 22:15–22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.
Devotion
Lucifer was dissatisfied, started a rebellion, and became the devil (Rev 12). Korah, Dathan, and Abiram could not tolerate Moses’ and Aaron’s supremacy, but appealed to the holiness of the whole people, started a rebellion, and sank into hell (Num 16). In the days of David Israel had honor, wealth, and fortune, but willingly they listened to Absalom’s voice, became dissatisfied, rebelled, and were torn apart (2Sa 15-18). Under Solomon they murmured, and after his death the 10 tribes fell away from their legitimate ruler (1Ki 12). Satan, who is the rebel from the beginning, who hates obedience and submission, led all these people and incited dissatisfaction in their hearts. So when they refused willing obedience, they had to humble themselves in slavery. In the time of Christ the Jewish people were under the Romans. When the crowds of people on Palm Sunday thought that the Lord would free them from the Caesar, they hailed Him. But because He is the true King of Peace and requires self-denial, five days later they cried out: “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Soon afterwards (in AD 70) they rebelled against the Romans and were destroyed.
What history teaches us with clear warning, God’s Word also teaches otherwise in distinct terms. Today we hear Jesus say: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” These two statements the Lord puts together. To render to Caesar what is his does not go against giving God what is God’s, but follows from it. And only those who give to God what is His can give to Caesar what is his. Submit yourself in meekness and fear of God before the exalted Lord of heaven. Give Him your heart’s full confidence and love. Entrust yourself into His hands, believing and obedient. Likewise give respect, obedience, and tribute to those in authority whom He has placed over you. Obedience toward authority flowing from obedience to God is what Jesus teaches. Submission to all human order from a willing soul, rightly coming from true royal freedom, which no one at all can subdue, is a treasure of Christ’s disciples. Disobedience to authority comes from disobedience to God and is the spirit of Satan. Pride, ambition, and dissatisfaction, as well as boasting about freedom and promises of good days, that is the curse of Absalom and of others who are in bondage to the flesh.
What Jesus teaches here in our Gospel, He also teaches in His answer to Pilate: “Jesus answered, ‘You could have no power at all against Me'” (that is, the office of judge) “‘unless it had been given you from above'” (Joh 19:11). And Paul taught the same by revelation. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Rom 13:1). The Apostle couldn’t say it more clearly. “There is no authority except from God.” If we believe God’s Word, then we know where our government comes from. “The authorities that exist are appointed by God.” “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. … For he is God’s minister to you for good. … Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (Rom 13:2, 4, 5). So Paul wrote, and we know that he lived under a heathen, unfair, and horrible government.
To Titus and all servants of the Word he says: “Remind them [the believers] to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Tit 3:1). But to be “subject” is to respect them from the heart and to honor them as standing over them in God’s stead. And all Jesus’ Apostles teach this. Abstain from fleshly lusts, says Peter: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good” (1Pe 2:13-14). This is completely contrary to the desires of human flesh, kindled by the devil – completely contrary to the spirit that rules in the children of unbelief, now stronger than ever. When in our age the dawn of freedom broke forth among the French people in the 1700’s, they rejected government and Christ at the same time. It is impossible for this teaching of Christianity, that authority is from God and should be honored and obeyed as God’s servant, for God’s sake, to be reconciled with the claim that the government is only of the people, and the people themselves are the highest authority. Government officials may indeed be elected by the people’s choice. But when they occupy their office, Christianity requires that they should be regarded, honored, and obeyed as God’s servants, appointed by the Lord, standing in His stead.
Because false liberty is bondage, dissatisfaction comes with it. And because it is false, it creates division and misfortune. With Korah’s and Absalom’s rebellions the Israelites destroyed themselves by the thousands, and in the rebellion of Jerusalem just as many were destroyed by internal conflict as by the enemy’s sword. Disobedience is bitterness and self-destruction. On the other hand, because submission for the Lord’s sake is real freedom, it brings joy and peace. Because it is true, it brings good fortune to the people. There is One who said: “‘Honor your father and your mother … that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Deu 5:16). But “father and mother” means all who have authority and rule over us. Christ’s spirit is love, and love gathers, builds, and strengthens. Even if the unbridled spirit of license brought forth no other evil than envy and bitterness in the mind and strife among the classes of society, that would already be more than enough harm. But disrespect for authority brings God’s judgment on us.
So awake, Christian friends, and beware of the spirit of false liberty! It is captivating. That beautiful word “liberty” always comes forth on the tongue. Masterfully it knows how to mix truth and lies. Beautifully it clothes itself to look like the light (2Co 11:14). I know a sure piece of advice: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits” (Psa 103:2). Then you will be humble and rejoice and establish peace and impress upon the young the golden words of the wise man: “My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change” (Pro 24:21).
Closing Prayer
Lord, teach us to know how unworthy we are of Your many and great benefits toward us. Grant us humility and submission, and preserve us from the wicked spirit of selfishness and bitterness. Give us true freedom in our hearts, that we may gladly honor and obey those in authority over us, and willingly pay them the tax they impose on us. Bless our rulers and all others whom You have appointed over us. Give them wisdom, justice, and strength, and let their work prosper for the benefit of the people. God, we thank You for this, Your wondrous grace, that for so long You have blessed us with the glorious benefits of freedom and peace. We pray You sincerely: drive out dissension, the wicked spirit that threatens us, and grant us yet for a long time to live a peaceable and quiet life in all godliness and reverence (1Ti 2:2). Receive our thanks, and hear our prayer for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Hymn
Jesus Christ, You bless our nation,
All those in authority;
Let us each fill our vocation,
Humble and obedient be.
Fearing God, the king give honor;
What is due to Caesar give;
Let us show to all due honor
Where we travel, where we live.
Let us seek our nation’s progress
In our pray’rs show faithfulness,
Love our neighbor truly selfless,
Seeking peace, respect, and rest.
Grant us all a pure, free conscience,
Teach us gladly to obey;
Let us give to all due rev’rence
Whom You give authority.
For our leaders, Lord, we pray You:
Turn their hearts to Your commands;
Let them in their work obey You
Which You placed into their hands.
Grant them grace to know the power
Of Your cross and saving Word;
Let its light shine bright each hour,
And throughout our land be heard.
To all hearts let it bring gladness,
Savior, that You may be known!
Bless us and remove all sadness,
Grace and comfort make our own!
Danish: Kriste Jesu, du velsigne Landet og dets Øvrighed L 563 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Ringe recht (LHy 255) or Brocklesbury (ELH 300); alternate hymn: God bless our native land ELH 602