A Law of Perfect Harmony for All Time       

“……give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.” Matthew 22:21 NLT

“Christianity never should be identified with any political party or social theory, but Christians ever should take their stand for loyalty, for order, and for law.” Charles R. Erdman

            During Jesus’ ministry on earth, there were two influential groups who hated Him and wanted Jesus dead. One group were the Pharisees, or the Jewish religious rulers of the day. The other was known as the Herodians, supporters of Herod backed by the Roman government. These two groups hated each other, but they had a common enemy Jesus that brought them together. Their goal was to trap Jesus in questioning the legitimacy of paying taxes to the Roman government headed by Caeser. In answering, yes or no, each party would be able to claim Jesus’ disloyalty either to Rome as an act of treason, or to the Jewish nation. Jesus’ answer not only settled the matter then and there, but also set precedent for all Christ followers from that day forward.

            Jesus said very simply to give Caeser what he is owed and give God what He is owed. The Roman government, although harsh especially to the Jews, were the authority figure that provided protection and law and order in the land. Maintaining infrastructure of the region is also a reason to support the authorities for what is owed to them. God also demands what is owed to Him. God is owed the dedication of our lives through obedience, service, and worship to Him.     

The Pharisees and the Herodians had it all wrong. They calculated Jesus had to answer one way or the other sealing His fate. Jesus’ answer to them was in perfect harmony. We are obedient to God when giving to the government what is owed as a God-ordained authority, Ceaser included, and we are obedient to God when surrendering our lives to Him. An  appropriate lessons for us to heed during the upcoming tax season is to stand for loyalty, law, and order as good citizens of our country, and to stand in obedience to God as citizens of heaven for Jesus gave us a law of perfect harmony for all time!

Read: Matthew 22:15-22 NLT – Taxes for Caesar – Then the Pharisees – Bible Gateway