The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:22utc

Lesson Thirty-eight: GOD EVEN OWNS MY BAR-B-Q GRILL (Mark 12:13-17)

"Give to God what is God's." (vs.17)

The following three narratives focus in on a series of press conferences held in the busy squares of Jerusalem only days before the circle tightens completely around Christ. In each case, Jesus' opponents try to trap him in his words so the accusations against him canbe proven. Yet we see again that the Lord's schedule is in his father's hands and he will only permit himself to be taken when that time is right. What strange irony to think that mere man can trap God in his words. Jesus is after all the WORD made flesh How futile of these men to think he would inadvertently say something that would put him in their hands.

In the first press conference two opposing groups temporarily put aside their differences and strengthen their resolve against the Lord. The Pharisees are legalists who adhere strictly to the law and long for Israel's freedom to live out that law. The Herodians, out of love for their country, sought union with Rome as their means to obtaining their freedom; they hoped for this by bringing the Herod family into prominence again. The Herodians compromise with Rome repulsed the Pharisees but a temporary treaty to put greater pressure against Jesus seemed wo In passing, I wonder sometimes if the aims of ecumenism - that is to lay aside differences between religious groups - is a subtle attempt to strengthen the resolve to oppose the truth of God's word. Is it not also an attempt to undermine the uniqueness of Christ as the eternal and divine Son of God?

The two groups challenge Jesus with what is obviously a well-planned question. Should Israel pay taxes to Caesar? It would seem that whatever answer Jesus gave would put him against one of the two groups and he stood to declare his allegiance for either Rome or Israel.Jesus' answer to this question cannot satisfy either party but it does silence them. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" Jesus says. (vs.17) The coin that provoked this debate had Caesar's image on it. Similarly in England the emblem HM supported by a picture of a crown can be seen everywhere from coins, government buildings and vehicles. These signify the ownership of HER MAJESTY the queen.

Give to Caesar what has Caesar's image on it. Give to God what has his image stamped on it. And what is that? Is not God's image stamped upon the whole of creation? There is far more to give to God than we are to give to Caesar. Consider the following statements from the Psalms as you meditate on what is his. "The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Ps.19:1) "In the beginning your laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands."(102: 25) "The highest heavens belong to the LORD" (115: 16) Even our lives carry the deep marks of his ownership stamped with his image. "For you created my inmost being..." (Ps.139:13)

So yes, we give to government what bears it's image, but what are we to do with what is God's? God owns far more than we think. Even those things you have assumed belong to you, which you have earned with your hard work, if you think long enough about it, you will see they do not really belong to you. They have been loaned to you.

Does anything exist apart from God? What about the mineral used to form the substance of the coin with Caesar's image impressed on it? Did it not come from the earth? Did not God put that mineral there? What about the hammer used to give that coin shape? Was it not made from iron? And does iron not come from the earth and did God not put it there? You bought your car with your money. But follow through the process of how that car was made? Strip it down to it's frame and consider each piece of that car and you will find no part that does not in some way or other find it's origin with God. Your house? Yes, the trees and sand from God's earth were used to form the frame and make the bricks.

I challenge you to find anything that does not have its source and purpose in the very will of God. Even my Bar-B-Q grill for which I proudly claim ownership does not belong to me. When we look at life and the things in life in this way it is almost impossible to separate the material from the spiritual. Remember again what Psalm 102:5 says: "the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands." Nothing in all creation from the very furthest galaxy to the tiniest little atom that makes up my lap top screen exist apart from God. "For from him and to him and through him are all things." (Rom. 11:36) "For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones are powers or rules or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Col.1:16) He is the source of life, for all of life bears his image.

How does this impact you right now? Allow that statement Jesus made to be directed your way for just a moment. Give to God what is God's. Have you been holding for your self what belongs to God? This story is far more about what we should do with our taxes. Jesus stretches our understanding and appreciation of what is really God's, leaving literally nothing that is not in his dominion. Give to God what is God's. That means everything. Yes, even your Bar-B-Q Grill!