Sermon Transcript I want to show you a famous picture that you have likely seen before. It was taken November 28, 1943, in Tehran. This was a famous meeting that took place between quite unlikely allies.

Tehran Conference

November 1943

Seated on the left is Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. In the Center is President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And on the Right is British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Now, most of us were raised learning something about the relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill. The United States and our British allies have had a strong relationship for quite some time, and so there may be an assumption that these two men saw eye-to-eye on everything. And they certainly did spend a considerable amount of time together -- starting in December of 1941. Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Churchill and some advisors traveled to Washington DC and spent Christmas with the Roosevelt family at the White House.

Churchill gave his famous speech to a Joint Session of Congress on the day after Christmas, in which he ended the speech by giving his famous V for victory gesture which drove congress to erupt in cheers and applause.

What wouldn’t be revealed until after his death is that the Prime Minister suffered a heart attack that evening -- but he maintained his work and meeting schedule while in DC, saying that now is not the time for weakness.

But, Churchill and Roosevelt had their share of battles -- perhaps the largest being over British colonialism. President Roosevelt was pushing Churchill hard for the independence of places like India.

Roosevelt’s son Elliot commented that his father would often laugh in private about the grimace that would come on Churchill’s face every time the president mentioned India.

But the truly unlikely alliance in the picture is the presence of Joseph Stalin. Estimates are all over the place, but historians are in almost unanimous agreement that Stalin was responsible for deliberately ordering the deaths of at least a million people that he perceived as political threats. Several studies recently by respected historians are indicating that the number was likely much higher than that, but that much work was done to cover up the atrocities.

The presence of a brutal dictator unified in effort with Roosevelt and Churchill, two great voices for freedom and peace --- is an unlikely alliance. But, they had a common enemy. A common threat to their well-being.

Aristotle, who was born around 4 centuries before Christ, famously said, “A common danger unites even the bitterest enemies.”

From that meeting in Tehran came a unified commitment to attack German control from the West, in addition to the ongoing battle on the Eastern Front. And rising out of their discussions came the framework for what we know today as Operation Overlord -- or the Battle of Normandy.

An unlikely alliance. Unified because of a common enemy.

That’s exactly what we see in our sermon text for today in the Gospel According to Mark. Would you stand if you are able for the reading of our scripture text:

Mark 12:13-17:

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

And they were amazed at him.

God, we believe that your word is true, that it is living, and that it will stand forever. We submit ourselves to your word, and ask you to show us our sin and then lead us to the cross where we find mercy and grace. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Well in this passage we find a curious alliance between two opposing groups of people: The Pharisees and Herodians.

We have heard much about the Pharisees throughout our time in this Gospel, but we last encountered the Herodians in Mark chapter 3. You may remember the story of Jesus healing the man with a withered hand. The Pharisees were all worked up because Jesus had the audacity to heal this man on the sabbath -- when “work” was prohibited. And Mark tells us that they leave that encounter with Jesus, and call a meeting with the Herodians -- and the purpose of their meeting was to decide how to destroy Jesus.

Fast forward to today’s text in Chapter 12 and these unlikely allies are at it again.

But, it might be helpful to recognize why they are such unlikely allies.

The Pharisees were a powerful party within Judaism during the period of time surrounding Jesus' life and ministry. While they were more reserved and peaceable than some zealots of their day, they were adamantly opposed to Roman rule. Within their culture, they were more than just a religious group. They had political and cultural power and were certainly advocating for a restoration of Israel’s independence and autonomy. In fact, they viewed both Herod and Caesar as illegitimate rulers. Israeli nationalism was strong during these years.

And then there’s the Herodians. Admittedly, we don’t know a lot about the Herodians, but there’s widespread agreement that these were followers of Judaism who were comfortable with and advocated for Roman rule. Some would have done so because of economic gain, like Matthew the Tax Collector, while others may have simply found that alignment with Herod’s family and rule gave them safety and prominence.

So you have the nationalists who were working for a restoration of the kingdom of Israel outside of the rule of Rome -- aligning themselves with the Herodians, who embraced Roman rule.

It’s been said that this alliance is sort of like the Patriots and the Tories or Loyalists coming together during the era of the American Revolution. The Patriots fighting for autonomy, the Loyalists advocating for continuing under British rule.

Two enemies joining together to fight against a more immediate enemy. And in this case, the immediate enemy that they joined forces to fight was Jesus.

His teaching. His radical grace. His inclusion of the outcast. His willingness to accept sinners. His emphasis on salvation that is free. His criticism of the structures and institutions that weren’t fulfilling the purpose for which God had created them -- and maybe most offensive of all -- a message of God’s love for the World that transcended little ol’ Israel. Jesus was a threat. A threat to their power. A threat to their legitimacy. A threat to all that they’ve known.

And so the Pharisees and Herodians form an alliance to fight against this immediate threat. And that alliance plays itself out as they confront Jesus in our text today.

Well as we consider this confrontation, allow me to share a couple of thoughts:

First, notice how the Pharisees & Herodians try to entrap Jesus.

V. 13 - they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

The word that Mark chooses here that is translated as “catch” is a hunting word that describes a hunter catching his prey unaware. Stalking the animal and catching it off-guard.

Interestingly, Matthew uses a different word. He also chooses a hunting-related word -- but he uses the word for a snare. Setting the snare and waiting for the prey to come and get trapped.

And what is of particular interest is the bait that they try to use. Look at verse 14 - “we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God.” They use flattery to try to draw Jesus into the trap.

Now, this would work for you and me. If we were in Jesus' situation, we would be intoxicated by the flattery. We would say, you know what, I AM true….I DON’T care about anyone's opinion. I’m NOT swayed by appearances. I truly DO teach the way of God.” We would be flattered. We would be drawn right into the trap. But, of course, Jesus doesn’t take the bait. He cannot be tricked.

But we have to admit that the scenario with which Jesus is presented is a clever one. It’s like they have been waiting for this moment since their first meeting in Chapter 3 -- and now they’re ready to pounce. And they back Jesus into a corner and present him with what appears to be a lose-lose situation.

What are the two options with which Jesus is presented? Pay the tax or refuse to pay the tax.

The particular tax that they ask about is probably a tax that would have been paid by subjects of Rome, but not Roman citizens. This was, as you can imagine, unpopular among the citizenry.

So here’s the predicament:

If Jesus says that the tax should be paid, he will be accused of despising the Nation of Israel, God’s treasured possession, and showing favor to Rome.

If Jesus says that the tax should NOT be paid, those friendly to the Romans will charge him with sedition.

So it’s quite a situation. In their minds, they think they’ve set up a simple either-or that will end in Jesus’ being executed with either answer.

But, as we know, it doesn’t go as planned.

So, the Pharisees and Herodians try to entrap Jesus:

Second, Jesus makes clear that we are subject to both God and Government.

V. 15 - But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus asks for them to bring him a denarius. A denarius was a silver coin that was worth approximately the daily wages for a worker.

Archeology has shown us that it’s quite likely that the coin that they handed Jesus would have had the image of Tiberius Caesar engraved on the front of it. And around the image of Caesar would be the inscription in Latin, “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, son of the Divine Augustus.”

And, so, Jesus matter of factly says, “Whose image is this?” And when they acknowledge that it is Caesar’s image, Jesus promptly says, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s…”

And with this statement, Jesus blows their minds...or, as Mark says, leaves them Amazed. He had, somehow, found a way out of their trap. The Pharisees couldn’t accuse him of being Anti-Israel. And the Herodians couldn’t accuse him of sedition.

But Jesus did more than simply blow the minds of these two misguided and self-serving political parties. He also gave legitimacy to the place and function of secular and even pagan human governments.

Jesus lays the foundation for an understanding of the role of the state that would be by both Paul and Peter throughout the rest of the New Testament.

Jesus gives us a lens through which we can evaluate our interaction with the governing authorities. He makes it clear that we are subject to both the Government and to God.

In other words, Jesus says, “You are not sovereign.” None of us like to hear that, do we?

The new testament’s teaching on this can be best articulated by four main passages.

Jot these down if you’re a note take because I’m just going to give you the 10,000-foot flyover.

First, Romans 13:1-7 - Here’s an excerpt, starting in verse 1: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Second, 1 Timothy 2:1-6 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior….”

Third, Titus 3:1 - “Remind them to be submissive to rules and authorities…”

Fourth, 1 Peter 2:13-17 - “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”

Four pretty clear and convincing passages that expand on Jesus’ teaching. What is our posture to be toward whatever government that we find ourselves living under?

Let me distill it down into a few quick bullet points:

First - you and I are not sovereign. As much as your Libertarian friends will tell you otherwise, you have no Biblical entitlement to live your life free from government control.

Second - governments that exist have been instituted by God. Whether for your liking and benefit, or for your sanctification and patient faithfulness and trust in God, any government that exists is instituted by God. To deny that is to call God a liar.

Third - Our posture is to submit or subject ourselves to governmental authority unless to do so conflicts with our submission to God.

Fourth - Those who don’t submit to governmental authority, so long as the law doesn’t conflict with your submission to God, are living in rebellion against God, not just against the government.

Fifth - our language should be respectful and in keeping with who we are and who we represent. Surely if Peter can tell 1st century Christians to honor and submit to Emperor Nero, we can take the same posture today.

Our ULTIMATE allegiance and submission is to God. Always. But that doesn’t take away from the reality that Jesus calls us to also live in such a way that we honor and submit to the authorities that he has placed over us.

Now, I know that some of you don’t like this. And some of you are probably coming up with reasons in your mind why Jesus and Paul and Peter are speaking to someone else, but not you.

But don’t be quick to write off what scripture says. Think about how forceful Paul is on this issue. Paul, who would later be imprisoned and executed by the Roman Government, says that if we resist the authorities that God has appointed, that we incur judgment.

This is a serious matter. Our part of the country is heavily influenced by neo-conservative populism which has made its money criticizing the government and promoting resistance. And I simply wouldn’t be faithful to my call if I didn’t echo the words of Paul and the words of Peter and the Words of Jesus. That as much as we might think that we are sovereign -- as much as we might decry government over-reach -- as much as we might be tempted to think that politicians are fair game for slander -- the scriptures teach something very different.

The Bible doesn’t make this easy for us, because the Bible is as concerned with your sin of slandering Joe Biden as it is with every other sin. We need to wrestle with these words of Jesus and Paul and Peter. We need to struggle.

And here’s the thing -- I don’t have to answer to God someday for how much you like a sermon or how much you dislike a sermon -- but I do have to answer for whether I called the church to repent of sin and live in the grace of God.

We are subject to BOTH Government and to God.

The way that Jesus answers their hypocritical question extends beyond just whether we are subject to God or Government. It forces us to ask deeper questions.

Jesus doesn’t simply say “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s…” and then stop.

Jesus' response invites the Pharisees, the Herodians, and us today to consider who it is that bears God’s image and inscription.

That coin bears Caesar's image and belongs to Caesar -- but all humanity bears God’s image and, therefore, belongs to God.

Now it might be easy for you to see yourself and your family and people who think like you and act like you and look like you as image-bearers. But what about your enemies? They too bear the image of God and belong to him.

What about those you adamantly disagree with over politics. They too bear the image of God and belong to him.

What about those who represent a worldview that you find foolish, offensive, or even immoral. They too bear the image of God and belong to him.

You see, Jesus had every religious, social, and moral reason to reject Levi while he was at his tax booth committing extortion. Instead, he saw his own image -- and he offered him God’s mercy and grace.

Jesus had every religious, social, and moral reason to reject the woman at the well for her immoral and unbiblical behavior. Instead, he saw his own image and offered her God’s mercy and grace.

I have become increasingly concerned with the way that some Christians have been speaking about those with whom they disagree. Taking our cues from the media, I have witnessed evangelicals become perfectly ok with -- and actually celebrate -- slander, among other sins.

I have witnessed people who claim the name of Christ respond in absolute anger and indignation over issues that have Caesar's inscription all over them.

Let me say something shocking. Get out your pens, write this down. Anger and slander are NOT fruits of the spirit.

Ok, it wasn’t insightful and shocking. It’s obvious, right? Let me say that again in case you were sleeping. Anger and slander are not fruits of the spirit.

And so when you rant about whatever it is that we’re told to be ranting about this week. Or when you slandering whoever it is that you are being told to slander this week -- let’s just all agree that it isn’t the spirit who is producing that within us.

These are the same responses of the Pharisees and the Herodians. Anger, Slander.

God’s people are not angry people. God’s people are not wringing their hands, triggered every time they turn on the television. God’s people are not lying awake at night fretting over things that belong to Caesar.

Here’s the reality -- countless American Christians are living their lives in slavery to Caesar. Spending untold hours fretting and sweating and cussing and worrying over things that don’t even belong to the Kingdom of God.

I want to ask you a question. Is your life marked by the deep, abiding, peace of God and trust in His providence, come what may? Or are you angry, unsettled, and afraid? If I were to ask those closest to you -- would they say that the outpouring of your life proclaims that Jesus is ultimate -- or that American politics are ultimate?

An over-investment in things that belong to Caesar will always hinder what we are willing to give to God.

We forget WHO we are and WHOSE we are. We so easily forget that we carry the image of God -- and we forget that everyone else that we come in contact with also bears the image of God.

Anger, Slander, and many other sinful responses come about when we forget that we were created in God’s image -- and that the person that I disagree with was too.

Why do we forget? Self-righteousness is intoxicating. And our self-righteousness, just like the Pharisees and the Herodians, always works to build job security. Our sinful nature is constantly comparing you to others, and coming up with reasons that you are better than this person or that person. And, at the same time, it works to blind us to our OWN sin.

And so we need God’s word to strip away any self-righteousness -- to strip away any sense of moral, cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic superiority. We need God’s Law to destroy any bragging rights that we think we might have -- so that our only hope is in who we are and whose we are. Bearing the image of God and belonging to him.

Give to Caesar what belongs to him. And give to God what belongs to HIM. And that is you. That is your life. That is your calendar and daily agenda. That is your dreams and passions. And it is control over your heart and over your affections. Give to God what belongs to him. Because he is trustworthy. Because he loves you more than you realize.

I’ve mentioned before that Peter’s witness of the events of Jesus’ life and ministry are the source of Mark’s Gospel. Consider how Peter, in 1 Peter chapter 1 instructs those believers to live.

1 Peter 1:17 - Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Live out your time as FOREIGNERS here -- Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Because you’ve been redeemed. Because Jesus purchased you with his blood. Because this isn’t your home -- Because you’re just here sent as an ambassador, proclaiming the hope of a better world that is coming. Because you are not your own. The Gospel frees us -- The Gospel sets us free to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. And even to SUBMIT to Caesar. To Honor Caesar. And then to Give to God what is God’s. Because the Gospel delivers us from our slavery to this world and fixes our eyes on our true and eternal identity and home.

You are not your own. You were created in the image of God. And you were redeemed from your sin at great cost. And now you are free. Free to submit, free to serve, free to love, free to show abundant and undeserved grace. And free to give to Caesar what is caesar’s and to God what is gods.