Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.
Sometimes the Gospel sounds very little like it was written two thousand years ago and more like conversations I have heard recently. I’m not sure why but even though the story we just heard refers to a group from a different time, a different culture and probably centering around questions we may not have, it both sounds and feels familiar.
We have to be careful not to read into the text things that aren’t there but finding relevance inside the various stories helps us to see that these ancient texts are extremely useful to us who seek to live lives that are faithful.
The question about the legality of taxes has very little to do with what it appears to be on the surface. Matthew tells us that from the start of the story. They didn’t care what Jesus had to say, they just wanted to trap him in order to discredit both him and his followers. In my opinion it was a brilliant question, one in which however he answered would lead to his demise. “Yes pay your taxes,” and those who felt that the taxes were burdensome if not outright sinful would reject the answer and answer giver. “No, don’t pay your taxes,” and the civil authorities would silence him for breaking the law. It seemed like a no-win situation but Jesus didn’t fall into the trap they laid for him.
On the surface, it appears that Jesus avoided the trap but who ever says Jesus only responds to surface questions haven’t played close attention. Jesus was pointing to something deeper.
The last few years, but I suspect this has been a two thousand year challenge, Christianity has faced more challenges from within its own house than from outside. Of course we have seen it very clearly in recent years when a huge segment of the church have turned a blind eye to abusive behavior in exchange for political power. It takes some impressive theological gymnastics to achieve this but among many following the humble man of sorrows who preached peace, forgiveness and love has been found to be, in these people’s mind, too weak and powerless for 21st century mindsets. A recent book entitled Jesus and John Wayne has documented this phenomenon and one does not have to be a sociologist to see the effect this has had. To quote from the book “Jesus may have saved your soul but John Wayne will save your ass.” Render unto Caesar indeed.
Christianity began by being immersed in politics. For first century Christians, Caesar was considered divine and to stand up and against such blasphemy was life threatening. The crowds , in order to please the authorities would chant “Caesar is Lord.” In a direct assault on the empire, Christians began to challenge this by responding “Jesus is Lord.”
We don’t hear such blatant challenges to our faith in our day but this doesn’t mean it’s not there. More subtly many choose to pursue political power in order to attempt to move society to something more suitable to their affinities. Politics have become the new religion and the way people are fleeing from churches that have embraced a political gospel is stunning.
One may wonder if this really matters; if God is uncomfortable with this then will it really last? Probably not but there is something more insidious going on.
I try my best to filter the news or at least let go of the anxiety that often fills my heart when Government shutdowns and election denying court cases pop up on my screens. But when indiscriminate bombings of innocents happen, I can’t help but turn to God, not for some sort of antidepressant relief but to align myself with the suffering. That’s how I know I’m praying to the living God, not a political substitute, because God never chooses power over the identification with the weak, dispossessed or suffering. When we are grasped by God, we feel compelled to walk alongside those who have never had political power and never will.
Ultimately in the Gospel today, we are called to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s. God not only identifies with the innocent and suffering, both Israeli and Palestinian but also democrats, republicans and those who have never voted. The vulnerable, the rejected and those who feel as if this life has little value, belong to God and we are to render our love, our presence and even our identity to them. To those who hear this call can only respond with humility, not political power.
So how do we get there? Diana Butler Bass helps me see the path as she remind us that the humble are those who know their failure and are absolutely amazed that God has relentlessly pursued them , embraced them and accepted them anyway. Humility is the acceptance of grace. It is the acceptance of the Father’s shocking, unearned embrace in Jesus. Beware of those who are proud of what they do for God rather than filled by what God has done for them.
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
Sing to the Lord and bless his Name;
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day!
She reminds us that:
Terrorists and tyrants always want to silence song. They don’t want creation’s music heard — the voices of God’s people to rise in hope and joy and praise. They shoot concertgoers, ban lyrics, boycott singers and troubadours, all in an effort to turn song toward themselves and make themselves god.
Song and salvation are of a piece. Hear the music of creation, the very heartbeat of heaven. Listen for the voice. Lift yours. May we all join our voices together. The world needs the old songs. And it aches for new ones.