Matthew 22:15-22 (Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s)

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Deep in the Old Testament there is a proverb, “There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.” (Proverbs 30: 18-19) I don’t know what you make of the four things that baffled the author, but maybe they can inspire us to come up with our own saying. What are the things that really baffle you? Our Bible Reading this week might help us come up with some ‘bafflements’: Here’s one, “How do we keep focused when the world is full of distractions?” Or how about, “Why do we still bother when everyone around us are idiots?”

We know that Jesus had a righteous anger towards those who abused power. We know that, in particular, he had some harsh warnings for corrupt religious leaders. What was worse, he had started loosening their grip on the populace by making them objects of ridicule. This is why an unholy alliance of Pharisees and Herodians was formed to get rid of Jesus. Their plan was to get Jesus to say something that would rattle the Roman Governor. That would certainly be the death of him. With this in mind they approached Jesus with a trick question about paying taxes.

Jesus was no fan of the Roman Governor, nor was he a supporter of punitive taxes. He was, however, a master of timing and his time to confront Pontius Pilate had not yet come. Nor was this the time to demolish his accusers. A bigger game plan was being worked out.

Remember Samson in the Old Testament? His moment of glory was when we stood between the two central pillars of the Temple of Dagon and brought the whole house down on the Philistines. Jesus, by his death and resurrection would similarly bring down both Temple and Palace. But that was for another day. For now, he kept his composure. He stayed focused amongst the distractions. And he still bothered about everybody – even his enemies. He urged them to “Give to God what is God’s”. The same advice comes to us today. All we have to do is work out what it means. Let’s hope it’s not too baffling to work out.