Dealing With Conflict (Part 2)

The first group Jesus finds conflict with on this day was an odd marriage of religious conservatives (Pharisees) and political liberals (Herodians)! These two groups normally hated each other, but they found an uneasy marriage when it was necessary to preserve their own existence, which was threatened by Jesus. They agree together to confront Jesus with a question that no matter how Jesus answered it would have either made the religious conservatives angry or the liberal political group angry.

"Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?" If Jesus said "Yes," then the Pharisees would come unglued because they saw doing so as a way of bowing to Rome instead of God. Jesus would be seen as a traitor to God's people and God's ways. If Jesus said "No," then the Herodians would see Jesus as an insurrectionist, possibly bringing down the wrath of Rome on them all.

They didn't like Jesus' teaching about a pure life before God. It meant they would have to change everything. They liked serving their own needs first because it was less demanding. They had hoped to trap Jesus by their question, but were they in for a surprise.

Jesus asks for a coin, a denarius is brought to Him by them. Holding it up He asks, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" They respond correctly with "Caesar's"

Jesus' response shocks them, and amazes them: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." With dual citizenship they should honor both-it doesn't have to be a conflict. After all, they were already doing this, they had a Roman currency they used for normal stuff, and a temple currency they used for God. So this was in keeping with what they already were doing, paying both! So, if His answer is wrong then they are wrong too!.

a. Jesus tells them to pay taxes to the government -He isn't anti government!

b. Jesus tells them to pay tithes to God because this is right for followers!

Both sides got the "right" answer, and they are trapped and stumped.

Remember, you can't outsmart God.