The Pandemic over the last two years will not be forgotten by this generation. We will likely talk about it frequently as we move into the future, just as we have done with 9/11 and Pearl Harbor. It was a once-in-a-generation event that we hope doesn’t ever happen again. Among the questions that were raised by the pandemic is the relationship between the civil government and God’s people. To be more precise: Does the civil government have the right by God to force God’s people not to worship?
When God allowed the nation of Babylon to invade and to take Israel into Babylon, out of their homes and away from their land, He sent the prophet Jeremiah to tell Israel these words: ““Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. ‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. ‘Seek the welfare (peace) of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare (peace) you will have welfare (peace)’” (Jer. 29:4-7).
Later, when Persia took over Babylon and allowed Israel to return, the Persians still effectively ruled over the land of Israel. But, King Cyrus asked Israel to pray for the life of their king (who was him) (Ezra 6:10; 7:23).
That was to be Israel’s attitude when the Greeks conquered the Persians and ruled the land of Israel and then when the Romans conquered the Greeks and ruled over the land of Israel. God’s people learned to live in two words: the religious / spiritual world where their ultimate allegiance belonged to Jehovah God and the civil / secular world where some respect and submission was required of the kings and governors and emperors who ruled over them.
So the same question arises today in the minds of Christians: What is the relationship between the church and state? In Mark 12, in the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, He answers that question.
THE QUESTION – 12:13-15a:
Notice what all they say to Jesus:
1.) We know that you are truthful. If they sincerely believed Jesus was “truthful,” why didn’t they do what Jesus told them to do? The word means “honest.”
2.) You defer to no one. The word “defer” here means “to be concerned about.” Jesus was going to teach what He believed was the truth from God, regardless of how or what people said or felt about it.
3.) You are not partial to any. Literally, the Greek language says, “You do not look at the face of men.” The idea is that Jesus does not adjust His teaching based on how men (or their faces) react to His teaching: (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25).
4.) You teach the way of God in truth. Again, if these men truly believed that Jesus “taught the way of God in truth,” then why wouldn’t they trust Jesus and obey?
Every time a Jew paid his or her taxes, he was reminded that his country was not free. Some Jews, notably the Pharisees, hated the tax because they believed God was their king. Refusing to pay the tax contributed to the final destruction of the Jewish state in the “Bar Kochba” rebellion of A. D. 135.
They want Jesus to either offend the common people and lose their popularity or offend the political leaders and be jailed or, better yet, killed. They apparently do not realize they are literally fulfilling the previous parable Jesus spoke to them (12:1-12)!
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD’S PEOPLE AND THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT – 12:15b-17:
With a Roman coin in His hand, Jesus drew the logical conclusion: “If Caesar provides you coins with which to be paid, give him what he requires. But also give to God what He requires.” A more sensible response could not be provided. It also argues against the idea, with which Jesus was put to death, that Jesus was a threat to the civil government.
APPLICATION:
Paul (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-2) and Peter (1 Peter 2:17) will reiterate Jesus’ point here that God’s followers are obligated to support their local government, including with taxes (unless their government requires something which violates the commands of God: Acts 4:19; 5:29).
Some religious groups, notably the Jehovah’s Witnesses, do not believe one can “pledge allegiance” to their civil government and be devoted to God concurrently. However, giving “what is Cesar’s to Caesar” does not stop one from devoting to God what is God’s, as long as one recognizes that the highest allegiance (see 12:30-31) is owed to Jehovah God. The commands and expectations of God surpass the commands and expectations of the state. Does the state have the right to stop Christians from worshipping? No. It does not. Regardless of what any man-made laws say, the Christians’ obligations to obey Jesus Christ transcend what man might require through his laws. At the same time, in the event that man’s laws do not contradict God’s laws, then man is obligated to obey those who are put into authority over the Christian.
Let us give proper respect to those who lead us (locally and nationally) but give our higher allegiance to Jehovah God and His Son.
Paul Holland
