How can I love a Packers fan?

We are a divided world.  It’s almost like we look for things to fight over.  

Sometimes divisions are in good fun or competition:  Lions vs Packers; American vs Lafayette Coney; Detroit vs Everyone.  

Sometimes divisions are philosophical: Good vs Evil; Secular vs Religious;.

Sometimes divisions are political: Conservative vs Progressive; Democrats vs. Republicans.

Sometimes divisions are cultural/personal: East vs. West; North vs. South; Hatfield vs McCoy.

When those who were fighting with Jesus wanted to trap or entangle him they went for a pressure point of division with Rome:  Taxes.  The question was should the Jews, who were being oppressed by the Roman government, pay taxes to their oppressor?  So they buttered Jesus up a little, then asked him that very question:

“Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matt. 22:16-17)

Sometimes we ask questions because we are interested in the person’s opinion.  Sometimes we ask questions to gain an upper hand.  This case was certainly the later.  Jesus saw right through the facade of flattery.  It was a loaded question intended to trap Him.  If Jesus answered “No, don’t pay taxes”, then the Roman government may arrest him for speaking against Caesar.  If he were to say “Yes, you should pay taxes”, then how could he be a true leader of the Jews into revolution as many thought he would be.

However, Jesus knew his identity and his mission.  His purpose on earth was neither to be a good citizen of Rome nor a leader of revolution for Israel.  His Kingdom was a heavenly one, His mission was to reveal this Kingdom to us.  The same is true of us as Christians today.  Like Jesus, our purpose on earth is neither one of submission to this world nor fighting against the flesh and blood that disagrees with us.

Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees is one of the most profound answers ever given when looking at divisions, politics, and how to view differing positions and opinions in this world.  Jesus takes a third position; a Kingdom of God position.

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 

Much like our coins today have a relief of a great leader, the inscription of Caesar was put on their coin.  Today this gives honor to those great leaders from the past, but Caesar’s image on the coin was a reminder of who owned the wealth, control, and land.  Certainly a leader of a revolution wouldn’t advocate paying taxes.  The Jewish religious leaders thought they had Jesus in a corner.

Jesus’ well known answer is one that I think about often in this time of great division.  He brilliantly answers in a way that no one expects, because no one was thinking about His true Kingdom: The Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom of God is one that flourishes in oppression and becomes diluted or compromised when it gains earthly power.  This is why Jesus answer is so profound: 

Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

The Image on the coin wasn’t what Jesus was fighting for or against.  He said, “give it to Caesar”.  Despite the fact that Roman taxes would help pay for the very wooden cross on which he would die, Jesus still didn’t consider this His fight. 

Instead, Jesus saw beyond the differences of politics, positions, and governments to the unifying identity of the Image of God.  Jesus’ mission was fixed solely on the image that His creation carried: God’s image in us.

Every person on earth carries with them the image of God.  No matter the country of origin, the color of skin, or what they have ‘right or wrong’ philosophically and religiously.  Therefore every person deserves our love and care.  Of course this doesn’t mean we have to agree with everyone, but it does mean we treat everyone with care because they bear God’s image.

In today’s divided world, if you are feeling animosity toward someone, their life philosophy, or their life choices, remember that they are still bearers of God’s image.  It may be clouded by ideologies that don’t fit with the one true God, but that doesn’t mean we regard them as less than, or unworthy of our time and love.  Instead we are called to love them and form relationship with them. (See the “Good Samaritan story”)

When we put others first and love them where they are, then we truly reflect God’s glory to other image bearers.  They might take steps toward you and the Triune God; they might not.  Our calling is to love, not to manipulate.  Our calling is to speak truth in the context of relationship, not harass or criticize.

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is God’s.  When we disentangle ourselves from the things the world calls important we can begin to see the Kingdom of God with clarity.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd