Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's

And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people -- for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.

So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on his words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay our taxes to Caesar or not?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me? Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.

- Luke 20:19-26

In yesterday's reading, Jesus told a parable against the religious leaders who are trying to trap Him. It is the parable of the wicked vinedressers, who, year after year take the harvest for themselves, and beat and harm the men sent by the vineyard owner to take the harvest of the vintage. Finally, the owner sends his son -- and this one the stewards (or vinedressers) seek to kill, so they can take the inheritance themselves. Jesus says that surely the owner will then give this vineyard to others. The leadership in the temple understands this has been told against them, and it is the story of Israel - they tell Him, "Certainly not!" Jesus replies, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone'? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people -- for they knew He had spoken this parable against them. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on his words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor. And here we are, finally, in open confrontation. They know what Jesus has said against them, and He knows they are trying to trap Him to get rid of Him. It's kind of interesting how this is all a sort of game, because they must be careful in front of the people who support popular preachers like Jesus, and before Him, John the Baptist. So it's a tricky, "crafty" game, the game of power and politics, played out in underhanded way.

Then they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: Is it lawful for us to pay our taxes to Caesar or not?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Why do you test Me?" We note that Jesus replies quite openly that He understands He is being tested. He's not afraid to call out what is happening, and He meets this tricky question with His own openness. My study bible reminds us that this question is set to trap Jesus between the Roman governor and the people: if He answers "Yes" the people will be against Him, for they are hard-pressed by the Roman occupation. If He answers "No" then He will be in trouble and under a charge of treason with the legal authorities of the Roman state.

"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?" They answered and said, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." But they could not catch Him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent. This very brilliant answer refuses to fall into the trap of the "either - or" situation they've posed to Him. In fact, I think we could call Jesus a brilliant orator or attorney in His own right. The legal experts in the temple marvel at His answer and, for the time being, must be silent. This is testimony in an unfair trial, set up by those trying to trap Him. But, expert witness that He is, He refuses to capitulate on their terms and comes up with His own brilliant testimony. What belongs to the state, and what belongs to God? This is such an important question -- and it is one that pervades every day of our lives. Does the state have proper authority to organize and provide for government, to make currency for economic transactions? My study bible says, "No conflict need exist between civic and religious duties. Christians can render the state its due while serving God. As the coin bears the image of the emperor and is properly paid to him, so each person bears the image of God and belongs to Him. Conflict arises when the state demands of Christians what belongs only to God."

So let us consider today this important question: what belongs to the state and what belongs to God? When does that line overlap? Under Nazi Occupation, native civil and religious authorities in many parts of the country of Greece - and especially in its capital, Athens - worked together in resistance to save the lives of thousands of Jews from death and deportation. They drew the line at duty to God and duty to an occupying state when it came to this action demanded of them which violated all conscience and religious loyalty to a loving Savior by refusing to turn names of Jews to the Nazis and by issuing thousands of phony baptismal certificates to save innocent lives. Let us consider then where and how we draw the line. But first, we look to our Savior and His brilliant testimony -- He puts us solidly in the middle of that cross that we must bear every day: what belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar? Tellingly, this story follows the story of the vineyard, and the question of what we return to the vineyard owner. Clearly, there is an important place for human institution and organization, for good government. How does the God of love teach you to make that choice today?