Dual Citizenship
Trinity 23
November 12, 2023
Matthew 22:15-22 Dual Citizenship v.21 “Then He said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Dear friends in Christ, though it may seem a little early in the year to be discussing it, our text for this morning deals with paying one’s taxes. Of course, we are not required to pay our taxes until the Spring, but we are required to pay. No citizen is exempt from this—not even—or rather, especially not, Christians. As we will see the Christian holds citizenship in two kingdoms, not just one, and there are obligations owed to both. As a background to our text we must understand how the Jews absolutely hated the Roman occupation of their land. They detested the Romans and the authority they held over them. We might, too, if there were foreign soldiers keeping order on the corners of the streets in our town. And Jesus’ enemies were going to use this well-known hatred for everything Roman to try and trap Jesus and bring Him down. They attempted this with a carefully worded question, after first giving Him some empty platitudes intended to “butter” Him up. “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully [yeah, right!], and you do not care 2 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?” You can see how sneaky these Jews were. If Jesus said, “yes” then He would be seen by the people (who hated Rome) to be a Roman sympathizer—a position that would definitely deflate His popularity, which was exactly what the Jewish religious authorities wanted. And yet, if Jesus said, “no” they could then charge Him with sedition and inciting rebellion—a charge that Rome would take very seriously indeed, as they had to put down a violent rebellion some 20 years earlier that all started because of this same question of tax and the coin used for the tax (which featured the image of the deified emperor). This went against Judaism’s deeply held spiritual beliefs that there is only one God. Of course, no matter how smart they thought they were, they were nothing compared to He who is the Wisdom of God in the flesh! Jesus sees right through their charade, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought Him a denarius, which of course, had Caesar’s inscription on it. For Caesar’s coinage represented his government. Which then begs the question—if Jesus’ questioners were so concerned about paying the Roman tax in the first place, what were they doing carrying the coin? Indeed, their hypocrisy was plain to see. 3 Jesus then answers simply, yet profoundly, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus is here making the important distinction between church and state. And how we, as Christians, are citizens of not just one kingdom—the nation to which we belong and are born into in this world—but through Baptism we have also been given citizenship into the heavenly Kingdom of Christ the Lord—when through water and the Word we were reborn children of God. In a way, your Baptismal certificate signifies this very real truth—and serves as a reminder to you each and every day of your eternal citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom of life, and love, and mercy, and salvation eternal. As members of the heavenly kingdom we have duties and responsibilities toward our God—to obey His Word, follow His commandments—study and proclaim the truth of Christ our Saviour in its purity and sweetness. The kingdom of heaven is never ruled by the Law, however, but rather by the Gospel. This “right hand” kingdom of Christ is the means by which He brings people to life and salvation—through the blessed means of grace in Word and Sacrament. Through the clear proclamation of Christ alone as Saviour—who took on our flesh and carried our sin to the cross of Calvary—putting it to death with His own death—and then rising again in victory and triumphant life three days later—the church grows as people’s hearts are changed and faith is worked by the Holy Spirit. 4 Each time another person is baptized into the triune name of our holy God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—another citizen is born into the kingdom of heaven—another person is washed clean of all their sin—robed in the righteousness that belongs to Christ Jesus—and given a life that will never, ever end. Each time we come before this altar to receive the Lord’s Supper—He gives us this life in His own sweet flesh and blood—hidden under the bread and the wine—through which He strengthens us for service with the sure and certain forgiveness of all our sins—taking into our mouths the very salvation that Christ purchased for us on the cross with His own suffering and death. Yet, the authority of our government has also been established by God Himself. Indeed, all temporal authority is of divine origin, and has been instituted by God for the restraining of evil doers. In purely temporal matters this authority—whether president or queen, parliament or house of congress, whether military dictator or elected official—must be obeyed by the Christian at all times—save when that authority attempts to hinder the Gospel or coerce Christians to go against God’s Word—such as in the case of abortion in our own country to this day. The state may say it is legal, but we as Christians know and uphold it to be a great evil, which takes innocent human life, and so must be avoided at all costs. 5 Yet whether or not we believe our government acts justly, we are still obligated to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. This is more than simply paying your taxes. It means obeying the laws of the land (even silly speed limit changes that we may not agree with!), or it may mean serving in the armed forces if called upon to do so (as yesterday we honoured those who have and do); in a democracy it certainly means taking your right to vote seriously (as I’m sure many of you did this past week); and what is more, perhaps even hardest of all at times—it means praying for our nation and our leaders—that God would bless them with wisdom and bless our land with peace and prosperity under their guidance and leadership—and even if that doesn’t happen—to still thank God for them and for giving them to us to rule over us. This is not to say that we do not speak out against our government where we believe them to be in the wrong—as Christians we have a duty speak against injustice—again, take abortion as a prime example—we have an enormous responsibility as Christians to defend life—especially that of the weakest members of our society—the unborn and any others who cannot speak for themselves. Sadly, we often neglect this duty. But God would have us proclaim His truth and His Word of Law and Gospel to all people. When Jesus said to the people, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render to God the things that are God’s,” He was showing us how we 6 have an expanded citizenship, not just in the earthly realm in which we live, but also the heavenly realm, which is our true home. The kingdom of God—the kingdom of His right hand—is a kingdom of love and forgiveness—founded by the one Who on the cross poured out His life’s blood as a sacrifice for all human sin—from not paying your taxes—to blaspheming the name of the Lord—and everything in between—even the taking of another human life. It is ruled by the King of kings and Lord of lords who holds all things in His hand—even earthly governments—even individual sinners who come before Him in meekness and humility confessing their sin and pleading for His mercy—which He freely gives. And let us never forget that the right hand kingdom of God is an everlasting kingdom established by the One who on Easter morning shattered the icy grip of death and opened instead the gates of paradise to all believers. Think about that. It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile—if you’re North American, Central American, South American, African, European, Asian, Australian, or even a resident of Antarctica—no matter which country you call home—the heavenly kingdom is open to you as you have faith in Jesus Christ. It is for all people of every nation, tribe and language. And this most blessed kingdom does not spread by force of arms or physical threats—but rather through spiritual means—the means of grace in Word and 7 Sacrament whereby the almighty God sends His Spirit to work to create and sustain faith in the hearts of sinful people. We gain a citizenship into the kingdom of heaven that does not rightly belong to us. But it has been granted to us by heaven’s #1 citizen—the Lord Jesus—who bestows upon us His saving favour and grace—marking us with His name and His cross—He inscribes our name into His book of life—that we may enter into eternal salvation—solely by His blood that was shed on the cross. So now, in faith and love for our Saviour, we now want to serve God and our neighbour faithfully. For by serving our neighbour with our good works (in the kingdom of the left hand) we exercise our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom (the kingdom of the right hand)! That’s right! Paying your taxes is a good work—as is obeying the speed limit! We don’t serve our neighbour to avoid a fine or because we fear imprisonment, however, but rather because we live our lives in response to the love we have been given by God. Our loyalty always is to Him first. All this because He was first loyal to us when we least deserved it—by sending the Son to serve us with His own perfect life, suffering, death and resurrection—freeing us from all sin, death, and hell. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen