Christianity and Government – Luke 20:19-36

What Is a Christian’s Responsibility to Government?  That is the question the late R. C. Sproul sought to answer in his blog at ligonier.org.  He wrote: “The great theologian Augustine said that government is a necessary evil, that it is necessary because of evil. And most theologians in the history of the church have said that human evil is the reason even corrupt government is better than no government at all. The function of government is to restrain evil and to maintain, uphold, and protect the sanctity of life and of property…For God’s sake we are called to be model citizens. We are told to bend over backwards to honor the king or be obedient to the civil magistrates. That doesn’t mean a slavish obedience to the civil magistrates. There are occasions on which Christians not only may but must disobey the civil magistrates. Anytime a civil government requires a Christian to do what God forbids or forbids them to do what God commands, then the person must disobey. But our basic posture toward government, according to the New Testament, is to be submissive and obedient citizens of the state.”  Jesus was faced with this question.

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.  (Luke 20:19-26 ESV)

The parable of the wicked vineyard tenants who kill the owner’s son cannot go unanswered by the chief priests and scribes.  Jesus has insulted them and they would kill him immediately if it weren’t for his popularity with the people.  But if they can turn people against him through something he says they might have a chance to dispose of him without repercussion.

The only problem is they aren’t as wise as Jesus.  They hope he will either say, “Don’t pay tribute to Caesar,” and be guilty of sedition, or he’ll have to say, “Yes, pay tribute to Caesar,” and become hated by the people.  His appeal to the image on the coin and the answer to render to Caesar what is his and to God what is His blows their minds.  And they give up their quest to trap him in this way.

Are we giving what is due to the government that provides us certain necessities?  Are we giving to God what is due Him for His provision, the one who allows authorities to rule in that way?