What Belongs to God

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's..." If you're like me, you've long been fascinated by this text (Matthew 22.15-22). It's fascinating to me for several reasons. The first of these, and the most impressive, is the way Jesus defeats yet again a verbal trap laid by those who seek, at the very least, to discredit him...to dig up some dirt to use against him. In this current frenzied election season, we're all too familiar with that! Jesus sees their intent, and plainly tells them so, and His reply to their patronizing trickery leaves them baffled and speechless. Jesus is so cool! And so much craftier than they, in a Divine and not worldly/political way, of course.

Another reason this text fascinates me is the way it is often so quickly used to justify one's political views, and perspectives on faith's place in politics. It seems that regardless of one's worldview, this text has been used to justify it. If you are part of the "Religious Right," you see Jesus paving the way for whatever tactics advance a Kingdom (of God) agenda...and since that Kingdom is not of this world, and this world is hopelesly fallen, it is imperative to replace ungodly leaders with Godly ones, who will more faithfully seek to whip the world (and its laws) into Kingdom shape.

And if you are on the "Religious Left", you see Jesus distinctly separating religious faith from politics...and never the twain should meet. Unless you are an advocate for righting some social injustice, and then it is imperative to lobby and pursue activism in the name of larger social good.

Of course, these are gross generalizations :-)

Does it fascinate you, that when you get down to brass tacks, both "ends of the spectrum" find it OK to be involved in shaping society, via faith-influenced political means, and even mandate it, while claiming that the "other side" is wrong for doing so...or at least, wrong in their intent and their tactics? Hmm....

What if Jesus was not talking about civil politics or worldly power at all, as He addressed those religious leaders of His day who were trying to trap him? What if the issues involved were much LARGER...?

Matthew Henry makes some keen observations about this text, which I find, like the text itself, fascinating. Basically, he notes that amongst this group who go to question Jesus in order to discredit him (or worse) are both Pharisees and Herodians--two groups from the same culture and country, but with almost-diametrically opposed worldviews and tactics on dealing with unwanted Roman authority. Sort of like the religious right and left of their time...sort of. Though to get the full flavor of the political climate, you'd need to toss in some Sadducees and Essenes, and a few Zealots as well. At any rate, what is most intersting is that BOTH SIDES are baffled, frustrated, and left speechless by Jesus. Hmm....

Then, Henry goes on to say: "Christ did not interpose as a judge in matters of this nature, for his kingdom is not of this world, but he enjoins peaceable subjection to the powers that be. His adversaries were reproved, and his disciples were taught that the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government. Christ is, and will be, the wonder, not only of his friends, but of his enemies. They admire his wisdom, but will not be guided by it; his power, but will not submit to it."

I wonder what our political process--indeed, our society at large--would really look like, if more of us (including political candidates and leaders of all stripes) were true disciples of Jesus, and not just "friends" of His. Not just admiring, but faithfully following; not just quoting, but....submitting.

Hmm...

But then, that means making a choice, to put GOD first, above all else, including one's own ambition; and at the very least, always seeking to submit that ambition to Christ and His power, rather than...oh, say worldly powers...like lobbyists...parties...big campaign donors...old friends...corporations...political hacks...public opinion polls....focus groups...what have you.

I wonder...for we human beings...is that even possible? Ever? Really?

I think Jesus was articulating a truth about human nature in this text, which if we accept at face value, will humble all of us. And that truth is this: we can render all we want to "Caesar", but it will never be enough for Caesar, because Caesar's power is ultimately incomplete...corruptible...bankrupt...soul-less, if you will (no matter who, or what party, is in charge); and is therefore never enough to change the world into God's vision of what it should be.

So...as we go to the polls in a few weeks or otherwise cast our ballots, I think we do well to remember that whomever we vote for, and whomever wins...well....don't expect more than what Caesar usually offers. For change we can really believe in...well, that is NOT of this world; and hope that truly makes a transformational difference (in personal lives and entire empires)...that is only found in the One who baffles and silences all opposition, and points to the true Great Society.

Hmm....can I write JESUS OF NAZARETH in on my ballot?? LOL


A Prayer for Worship (based on Psalm 99, and Gene Peterson's "The Message")

God rules. On your toes, everybody! He towers in splendor over all the big names.
Great and terrible Your beauty, O Lord: let everyone praise You!
YOU are Holy. Yes, holy. And perfect, like no one, and nothing else.

Strong King, lover of justice, You laid things out fair and square;
Foundation stones of just and right ways. Holy. Yes, holy.

King of the Universe, only Your wisdom lasts, only Your love saves.

Only YOU are Holy. Yes, holy. And perfect, like no one, and nothing else.

Let Your Spirit of Truth embrace us today, and in the days to come, O Lord,

And me we never be afraid or cease to learn from You.

May Your Holiness touch our lives and burn away our falsehoods and biases, O Lord,

And may we never substitute our version of “good” for Yours.

Come to us, O Lord, in our worship, and in our Lives, in the living presence of Jesus;

Enliven us with true hope; teach us with real authority, equip us with holy power; and never, Lord, never leave us or our leaders only to ourselves!

Happiness Versus Joy

OK, I'm confused. He was thrown in jail...frequently run out of town with a mob chasing him, tar and feathers in hand...he was publicly stripped, humiliated and beaten, numerous times...shipwrecked... mocked...cursed at...arrested and put in jail again...and then again...and again...until ultimately he was executed (tradition has it he was beheaded near Rome)--all for his faith. It seems that almost everywhere the apostle Paul went, he was given a rough time, and made to suffer for his faith and his proclamation about Jesus--which never wavered in the midst of it all, by the way. Indeed, that proclamation seemed somehow to be intimately connected to the source of Paul's unwavering joy.

Still it all makes me wonder, what on EARTH did Paul have to be joyful about??

JOY is a theme that frequently appears in Paul's writing, and nowhere more so than in his letter to the Philippians...some fifteen or sixteen times. He mentions in one place about being joyful in every circumstance, no matter what.

No matter what? Even when my annuity fund is down by...geesh, I don't even want to look! Even when I get bad news from the doctor? Even when a loved one is giving me--consistently and irrationally--a hard time, and tons of grief? Even when my job looks shaky? Even when I cave in--yet again--to temptations I want to be rid of? Even when my team is 0-5? Even when all of that happens in the same week?

Even when my world seems to be falling apart???

Yep...even then. Perhaps, oddly enough, especially then. But it's one of those things that, if it is not experienced, cannot be remotely understood. And if not sought, will never be found.

If I look to Paul as a model, I learn something about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is temporary, and fleeting. It is also conditional, based more on emotion and circumstance than anything else. At the end of a fairy tale, when it says "they lived happily ever after"...well, that's why we call them fairy tales! We know it just ain't so in "real life."

But joy...true joy, lasting joy...it is not to be found in earth. Or should I say, from earth, from any worldly or material or emotional source. All those will fail us, sooner or later, all of 'em (and probably sooner). I asked above what on earth did Paul have to be joyful about; and the answer is...nothing. Nothing on earth, from the world. He says it quite clearly in Philippians, where he counts everything that the world has to offer, ultimately (including all the education, successes, and kudos from his own past), as nothing but garbage. Mere rubbish. Instead, he looks to Christ as the only source of JOY, of ultimate validation, and eternal meaning.

I think, in our search for happiness in life, we ought to be looking instead for joy. Not that a little happiness now and then wouldn't hurt, mind you! But so often the things we seek after to be happy...well, they just don't last. And too often they are just downright deceptive, unhealthy, or even destructive. And they certainly don't give us the DEEP JOY that can help us--move us, motivate us--to rejoice and praise God, even when the stuff has hit the fan, or the market had dropped another 600 points. That deep joy to me is like that "peace that passes all understanding." And why shouldn't? It comes from God, who is far beyond our combined comprehension and ability to understand. So, instead of trying to understand why I am unhappy, and confused about why happiness does not last, I will instead try to draw closer to the source of incomprehensible (even nonsensical, by worldly measures) Love. Draw close to unmerited Grace. Pray for and wish for and seek after the One who never stops seeking me, and who died, rose, and lives still, to LOVE ME. To help me have true, lasting JOY.

Call to Worship

Lord of all Creation, Source of Eternal Peace, Provider of Lasting Joy,
Hear our prayers today, as You always do,
And help us learn to trust more in You.
From the first breath of a new day, to the closing of our eyes at night in sleep,
You stand ready to bless us with Your joy and Your peace,
Stand willing to embrace us with arms of Holy Love.
May Your Spirit indwell our worship, our praise, our singing;
And may He indwell our very lives, so that me rejoice again, and again.
And again; and again; and again!
Accept the praise we bring, O Lord, and bless us with joy and peace!
We lift our hearts to You with gladness, our eyes with hope,
Our arms in gratitude, and our praises with JOY!