October 16, 2005

Mindekirken, October 16, 2005
Pastor Jens Arne Dale

Jesus often had quite tough discussions with the Pharisees and the Scribes. In today’s text we see a more polite way of addressing Jesus. The Pharisees were quite flattering in their words to Jesus: "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one: for you do not regard people with partiality." This was a nice testimony, but it’s only camouflage for the question that was meant to catch Jesus: "Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?"

The question was intricate. If Jesus answered Yes, it would be to accept the Roman oppression. That would be to let down the Jewish hope of liberty, disappoint all those who hoped he was the Messiah. If he answered No, it would be like rebellion. The fact is that the Jewish rebellion shortly after the death of Jesus started with tax denial. It went on in open war and for a short period of time Israel was a free nation. But the Romans came back and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in the year 70. When the same thing happened 65 years later, the people were expelled from the country. They didn’t return until modern times.

It looked like Jesus could say neither, yes nor no. The Pharisees felt good about it. They believed they had caught Jesus in his words. But then Jesus answered in a way that would make every politician envious: "Show me the coin used for the tax." They brought him a denarius. "Whose head is this, and whose title?"

It was obvious – Everyone went around with the picture of the emperor in his pocket. And Jesus used this against them. When you enjoy the privileges of the emperor, you also have to give what he demands. But the power of the emperor has its limits. God has also given us privileges. So give then to God the things which are God’s. The answer is brilliant. It was as difficult to catch Jesus in words as it is to catch a piece of soap in the bathtub. When you think you have got it, it slips away. They were amazed, and left him. Matthew is polite enough to refuse to say that they had gotten "long-nosed".

Give the emperor the things that are the emperor’s. This would become a difficult part of Jesus’ teaching. In the NT we find two quite different opinions of the emperor. In Revelation 17, we read about the Great Whore.

She is the opposite of the pure bride who is a symbol of the church. The Great Whore is Rome, with its blasphemous worship of the emperor. The Book of Revelation was written at a time when Christians were persecuted in a cruel way. Therefore the emperor of Rome could be considered the anti-Christ. But in this respect, Revelation is an exception in the NT.

It’s correct that the first Christians were persecuted. But the extent of this was less than what we usually think. We have heard tear-jerking stories about how the first Christians were thrown to the wild beasts in the Coliseum. But the fact is that there is no historical source speaking about this.

Just the opposite, the emperor is the one who secures law and order. Also, the Christians benefited from that, even though we don’t speak of a state governed by law, according to the measure of our time. When Paul came to Jerusalem, and was almost torn into pieces by raging Jews, Roman soldiers rescued him. When he faced torture he claimed to be a Roman citizen. That was an exclusive right, and in fact that gave Paul the right to appeal his case before the emperor. That’s how Paul came and preached the gospel in the world’s capital.

Maybe it’s not strange that Paul writes: "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God." Rom. 13:1. Paul had a positive attitude toward Roman authority. The authority was God’s servant. Through that God’s will is done in the world. The rulers are not a threat to good conduct, but to bad. It’s part of God’s will to us that we should be useful citizens of society. "Pay to all what is due them – taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect…" Rom 13:7.

Obedience is an important word even today, but we have to add another: responsibility. Who is the authority in a democracy? It’s everyone who votes. Exercise your right to vote. Take responsibility. Take part in an open and critical debate in society. Political and social questions should concern a Christian. God has not withdrawn what was said at creation. "Fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion…" Gen. 1:28. But being concerned about politics doesn’t mean that the church should support one specific political party. There are too many examples of bad mixtures of politics and Christianity.

But where does the border between politics and Christianity lie? How should the church define its role and call in today’s society? When the Nazis took over the rule of Norway during WW2, they demanded that the church should only preach the part of the gospel that talked about eternal questions.

They had no desire for criticism of the way they governed the country. Half a year after the beginning of the occupation, Kristent samraad (The Christian Counsel) was founded. Kristent samraad consisted of bishops, pastors and representing from the free will Christian organizations. In 1942 they launched the statement of faith called Kirkens grunn (The foundation of the Church).

There it’s said that the church should not interfere in the work of the state, unless the state doesn’t comply with the teaching of the Bible. The thought is that the state should be consistent with God’s commandments and order.

One claimed that the Nazi state was not a sate of law. And the church could not remain silent about it. 93 % of the pastors claimed that they would not be regarded as state officials any more and refused to receive salary. The fight of the church was an important part of the resistance against the Nazis.

Also today the church should be a prophetic voice in society. That would mean to criticize lawlessness and corruption, point out social injustice and offenses of human rights, keep public and private institutions accountable for environmental destruction, be peacemakers, fight for the right for all humans to have dignity and life etc. We are our brother’s keepers. We are children of a heavenly father who cares for the well-being of all his creatures. To pretend we don’t know about injustice that takes place isn’t an option.

The church also has a diaconal service. We do know that Jesus stood on the side of the poor, the oppressed and the rejected people. He cared for prisoners. He healed the sick and expelled demons. The church is called to a healing ministry in our time as well. We have been called to show mercy and care for whoever experiences distress and problems.

We should never forget that Jesus became a human being like you and me. He saw the beauty of the lilies of the field, and he rejoiced at the birds of the sky. He had compassion for all of the harassed, and showed love to each and every one who lived. Jesus is both the Creator and the Savior. He didn’t come to throw his creation in the trash can, but he came to clean, save and restore everything that is damaged by sin.

The church has been called to mission. We have been commissioned to the world to spread the joyful message, the gospel of salvation for whoever repents and believes. We have been called to confess the name of Christ in this world, to praise God in word and deed, live to his glory.

We have become children of God, we have received the kingdom of God. Paul says: But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savoir, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil 3.20 In that sense we’re pilgrims and aliens in this world. We are a people wandering towards a heavenly home. We belong to the kingdom of God which one day will be blooming to the full extent.

Glory be to God, the Father, and the Son and The Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716