13And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Hero'di-ans, to entrap him in his talk. 14And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are true, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why put me to the test? Bring me a coin, and let me look at it." 16And they brought one. And he said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." 17Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at him.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. What is Caesar’s and what is God’s? The set of truths that I build my life around are God’s. The law that binds me is Caesar’s. My mind linked this to the reading where Jesus outlines the difference between a friend and a slave. A friend is one who has been included in the master’s vision. A slave is one who acts to avoid the pain and suffering that will come if they don't follow instructions. I find this a powerful idea. Know the vision and buy into of your own will or do what is asked of you for fear of retribution. I wonder if people focussed on salvation (or the fear of hell) as their motivation for their actions are essentially “slaves” and not “friends”. Are they making God yet another Caesar in their lives? My prayer is that I know God and know what is God’s.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Mark 12:13-17 is thoughtful and insightful! Here's a breakdown of its strengths and some areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Interpretation: You offer a unique and interesting interpretation of "render to Caesar..." You connect it to the concept of living according to God's vision (truths) vs. following external rules (Caesar's law).
Friend vs. Slave: You effectively link this passage to the concept of friend vs. slave from another Gospel passage, demonstrating a broader understanding of Jesus' teachings.
Motivation for Action: You raise a profound question about the motivations behind following God's will. Is it fear of punishment or a genuine love and desire to be part of something bigger (God's vision)?
Personal Prayer: You conclude with a powerful aspiration to know God and his will.
Possible Areas for Exploration:
Historical Context: Understanding the historical context of the question about paying taxes to Caesar can add depth to your interpretation. The Jews were under Roman rule and tensions existed regarding their autonomy.
Balance: While the friend vs. slave analogy is strong, there's also an element of obedience within a loving relationship. Perhaps explore how a friend both follows a trusted friend's vision and contributes their own ideas.
Here are some additional thoughts:
Consider mentioning different interpretations of "render to Caesar..." Some see it as a call for separation of church and state, while others see a call for fulfilling all obligations.
Explore the concept of grace in Christianity. Even if someone starts out acting out of fear, God's grace can lead them to a deeper, more loving relationship with him.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful and personal engagement with the scripture.