Giving God All Belongs to God

Giving God All Belongs to God

Mark 12:13-17

Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Him in order to trap Him in a statement.

Mark 12:13

The Pharisees and Herodians were usually on opposing sides, but act together in an effort to destroy Jesus [Mark 3:6]. Pharisees were legal experts in interpreting Jewish Law and traditions; the Herodians supported and the Pharisees opposed Herod Antipas, who claimed to be king of the Jews; Antipas, one of three sons of Herod the Great, 37 to 4 B.C., is associated with Jesus’ birth.

“…Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? Shall we pay or shall we not pay?” Mark 12:12

There is much more to this Scripture than we may suspect. As a start, If Jesus approves of Roman taxes, the crowds will reject him; if he denounces the tax, his critics can use this to accuse him of inciting revolt, which is punishable by death.

The Roman government was hated by most Jews; taxes were but one issue. Since the Babylonian invasion in 585 B.C., foreign powers had ruled, except for the period of semi-independence from about 163 to 63 B.C., after which the Romans took over.

“Bring Me a denarius to look at” They brought one. And He said to them. “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s Mark 12:16

Jewish faith prohibited graven images. The dime-sized coin mentioned here, like all Roman coins, bore the image of Tiberius Caesar. The Latin inscription around his head read, “Augustus Tiberius, son of the divine Augustus.” Tiberius’ father had been declared a god; the son was worshiped as “son of God.”

The reverse of the coin read ‘High Priest” The emperors were routinely the priests of the Roman cult of emperor worship. Son of God and high priest; this was extremely offensive to the Jews. They would attempt to avoid touching these Roman coins; and it was embarrassing to even show Jesus the hated coin.

And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God, the things that are God’s” Mark 12:17

Indirectly, Jesus is saying to pay the tax, without having to offend the crowds by actually say so. The rest, about giving to God what belongs to God is a truly brilliant answer!

In the ancient world, the king was the true authority. To really understand all Jesus is saying, it helps to see through the eyes of Mark’s first readers. They knew very well that Jesus, not any Roman emperor is the true king and Son of God. Seeing Jesus as king, the early Christians knew what to give God; their all!!

For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.Romans 14:8

Jesus is king; ultimate authority over our lives; by his death and resurrection, he is Victor over sin and death! If we recognize Jesus as king, we know we owe all to God! In ancient Israel, kings were called Shepherds. Jesus is king, and good shepherd. We belong to the good shepherd; we are part of his flock!

There is a battle between good and evil; and Jesus’ death and resurrection secures the ultimate victory over evil! Evil can never have the last word because Jesus is Victor! Because we belong to God, we are recruited to join the battle against evil!

It’s easy to stand on the sidelines and complain about evil. But because Jesus is our king, we can always make a difference! Stay positive; and don’t get discouraged! We must never give up! We must keep on keeping on! Because we belong to God!

We belong to God, we must let our light shine; give ourselves; hold nothing back! Give God what belongs to God! Our all!!