Non-Zero Sum Game Theory: Daily Thoughts from Mark (Mark 12:13-17)

In the movie Arrival the main character is asked by her daughter what the mathematical or “sciency” term is for when both sides in a competition get a win rather than one winning and the other losing.  She comes up with “non-zero sum”.  What one gains is not a loss to the other (you know, if you add negative one to positive one you get zero).  Both can win.

Jesus is facing the full opposition of all the shakers and movers in Israel during his last week in Jerusalem before his crucifixion.  And here’s the thing about opposers.  They always think in “zero sum game” terms.  We win, you lose.  Their choices offered are always either/or, not both/and.  By limiting the choices they hope to secure your loss.  Jesus is about to be attacked by zero sum gamers.

And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, 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. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him. (Mark 12:13-17, ESV) 

The parable Jesus has just told against the leadership of Israel as rebellious vineyard keepers is given credibility yet again as another “delegation” comes to test Jesus.  The Pharisees and the Herodians could not have been further apart in their perspectives.  The Pharisees believed that the coming of Messiah was dependent on the holiness of the people of Israel.  The Herodians were willing to accept the Herod family as rightful kings in Israel in contradiction to the promises of Scripture that a descendent of David must rule.  Yet they collaborate against Jesus, overcoming their differences to get rid of a common enemy.

If they really believed that Jesus was a true teacher teaching the way of God, why weren’t they listening to and following him?  They said this for the crowds and to motivate Jesus, hopefully, to hang himself with his own words.  If he supported the tax he would be hated, they supposed, by the people who felt oppressed by Rome.  If he rejected the tax he would be guilty of sedition against Rome.  Either way they can get Jesus out of the way.

Jesus knew that they were all paying the tax.  He asked them for the coin and made the astute observation that Caesar’s image on the coin made it his and that if they used his coins they must pay his tax.  If they objected that they had no choice but to use Rome’s coins Jesus could simply agree with them.  There is no issue.  But using Rome’s minted money did not contradict rendering to God the things that belonged to Him, like obedience and faith.  Why couldn’t the Pharisees and Herodians both see this?

The crowd knew that the questioners had been bested and so did the questioners, and they marveled.  Jesus’ wisdom was too much for them.  Isn’t he amazing?  And shouldn’t we be more careful to find non-zero sum scenarios?  Isn’t this what’s killing us in the gun control and immigration debates?  Real leaders look for win-win scenarios.