Render Unto Caesar

The “Render unto Caesar” passage is frequently cited as a Biblical command to faithfully pay your taxes. I believe this is an incorrect interpretation when the verse is taken in its proper context. The Pharisees were obviously trying to ask questions that would entrap Jesus.  Matt 22:15, Mark 12:13, Luke 20:20  They were trying to figure out a way to hand Him over to the authorities, but it was not yet time for Him to be captured.
Luke 20:20 – Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.

That begs the question, how does the question about taxes lay a trap?  The fact that it was a trick question and that Jesus recognized it as a trick question,  (Luke 20:23) shows that there was not a simple “yes or no” answer.  For if Jesus could have given a simple answer there would have been no way to trap Him.  So, here is the question:
Luke 20:22 – Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

The Pharisees were hoping to catch Jesus and hand Him over to the governor.  What answer to this question would have led to His capture?  If He had said “No, it is not right to pay taxes to Caesar.”  The Pharisees obviously thought He would answer it this way, or else why the hope that they might be able to trap Him?  Also, note that the question is coming from the Pharisees, so the “us” in this question refers to the Jewish people who were being subjugated by the Roman authorities.  The historical context provides more insight into why this question was a tricky one to answer.  The Roman government was persecuting the Jews and was in league with the Jewish leaders.  They were even using the temple tax to pay for public works projects which benefited Rome.  So, He couldn’t just say “Yes, it is right to pay taxes to Caesar”, because clearly the Roman regime was corrupt to the core. He also couldn’t say, “No, it is not right to pay taxes to Caesar”, because He would have been arrested on the spot.

The genius in the answer Jesus did give is that the different groups would interpret it in different ways. When He said “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is His”, the Romans and Pharisees would not be able to find fault with that statement. Jesus’ followers however, could interpret His statement in a number of different ways. Maybe theywould understand that the coin doesn’t belong to Caesar just because his picture is on it. After all, in Psalms it says that everything belongs to God.  I’ve also read that there were competing currencies in use in the area at that time, and by singling out the relatively unpopular Roman currency Jesus gave His followers a loophole. There could be any number of ways His words could be interpreted, but the bottom line is that He didn’t explicitly command the paying of immoral taxes. Otherwise, why were the Pharisees stunned by His response? They saw that Jesus was incredibly smart and that he had eluded their trap.
Luke 20:26 – They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Not convinced? Find an alternate interpretation to mine, which explains the following questions:
– Why was the question difficult and a possible trap?
– Why didn’t Jesus answer directly with a “yes” or “no”?
– Why were the Pharisees stunned and amazed at Jesus’ answer?

Seeking Happiness

I just read the book “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters” by Dr. Meg Meeker. The book is primarily about the vitally important role that fathers play in their dauther’s lives. However, one passage stuck out to me for a different reason. In the chapter on Humility Dr. Meeker makes a profound point, she says, “Happiness is truly found only when it is routinely denied.” Say what? That doesn’t make sense at first glance, so let me re-phrase it with a little amplification. “(True and lasting) happiness is truly found only when it (temporary, fleeting indulgence) is routinely denied.” The point is that by making happiness the primary, transcendent goal of our lives, we end up like the horse chasing a carrot on a stick. We continually think we’ve grasped happiness only to look up and realize that it’s still out of reach. Continue reading Seeking Happiness

Broken Big Toe

I love playing with my kids. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the delighted laughter of your 3 year old son, or the cries for mercy from your 8 year old son. Equally amusing are the terrified screams of your 4 year old daughter as you race toward her, tickling fingers extended, ready for the attack. (Usually women run toward me, fainting and screaming with sheer excitement, so chasing women is a completely new experience for me.) In any case, I discovered recently that Ava, my 4 year old daughter, thinks it is hilarious when someone gets hurt. Instead of compassionately asking if you’re OK, she points, covers her mouth, and breaks into unadulterated laughter. It was with this goal in mind, that in the midst of a fun night of rollicking and wrestling, I rolled off of the Lovesac and took off toward Ava as she stood in the hallway. Continue reading Broken Big Toe

Meaningful Moments

How often do we get to experience something really profound? How often to we get a new revelation into life and what it means and how special it is? I think most people would say that those times are few and far between, but I’m realizing now that they happen all the time. The problem is that we’re usually too busy to see them and appreciate them. It’s a shame that we let life get in the way of really seeing what life is all about. The way to ask the question isn’t “How often do we get to experience … ?” but rather “How often do we miss all of those meaningful moments because of our short sighted and selfish lifestyle?” Continue reading Meaningful Moments

Fairy Tales

Lianne and I watched “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” a couple of weeks ago and one of the characters said something that really made me think. Before I get into that, let me highly recommend this funny and poignant movie. It is well worth the time and is one of the best movies I have seen over the past few years. What impacted me most in the movie was when one of the main characters said that she didn’t believe in fairy tales. She said that she used to, but not any more. I realized, while watching the movie, that I don’t believe in fairy tales any more either. Continue reading Fairy Tales

Summer ’06 Diet Plan

It’s early May and my Summer plan has been in place for over a month now. It’s basically similar to last year’s plan. I’ve cut out sugar and bad carbs, lowered my fat intake, and lowered my overall caloric intake. At the same time I’m continuing to lift weights and do aerobics. I started off in March at 160 pounds and about 18% body fat. I’m now at 148 pounds and 14% body fat. My goal is to get under 10% body fat, regardless of my weight. I’m not sure my current plan is going to get me there though. Continue reading Summer ’06 Diet Plan