Sermon Talkback
October 19, 2008
Minted by God—Matthew 22:15-22
Tinged with Irony
From the very beginning of this passage, the conduct of Jesus’ opponents is tinged with irony. By plotting against Jesus, they are, in fact, embodying the very type of behavior Jesus has been teaching against. Apparently, the Pharisees assume it is only a matter of time before Jesus’ verbosity gets him into trouble, that if they can find a way to keep him talking, he’ll eventually entrap himself. The Pharisees hope to pose a question to Jesus that will, in effect, place him between a political rock and a theological hard place. As we see, Jesus is able to think well outside the box.
The “Herodians” were promoters of the family of Herod. They were deeply committed to alliances with Rome and would be hostile to any opposition to the existing Roman taxes and keen to report potential mutiny.
The Pharisees and Herodians proceed with a little flattery: “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God accordance with truth, and show deference to no one: for you do not regard people with partiality” (v. 16). The statement is incredibly ironic because they are about to ask him implicitly to show deference to someone and to display partiality. The Greek adds a comical element that is not present in our English translation of displaying partiality. More literally, the opponents say to Jesus, “You do not care for anyone, and you do not regard the face of anyone.” Of course, it is the face of the emperor that will be of particular interest as the passage proceeds. Jesus will ask whose image appears upon the coin, and his opponents are forced to regard the face of Caesar.
Coins
Jesus sees right through their evil intentions and addresses them for who they truly are, “hypocrites” (v. 18). They illustrate their own hypocrisy by even possessing “the coin used for the tax.” Neither Jesus nor his disciples have this coin. The coin itself is the denarius, a silver coin stamped with the image of the emperor and used specifically for this tax. Jews had copper coins for daily use that bore no image of the emperor. Yet, these religious leaders had no problem producing this coin with its “graven image,” especially if they were helping Rome collect the tax.
The meaning of a “graven image” is a dead image like a golden calf. God can’t be engraved on something by human hands. God is not an idol, something we can pin down and hold fast forever on a coin. If we tried, we would literally kill God off in our hearts.
Everything Belongs to God
Jesus says, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” From God’s standpoint, what does not belong to God? “For the world and all that is in it is mine” (Psalm 50:12; Psalm 24:1).
Yet, from Rome’s standpoint, this coin with Caesar’s image was Rome’s. The Jewish people, like all other peoples living in the Empire, owed their allegiance to Rome for the benefits that the Empire provided—such as security and an excellent road system.
Paying Taxes
1. In this year of political debates, economical troubles locally, nationally, and globally, and statewide infrastructures in need of repairs, would you be willing to pay more taxes?
2. If you understand either Obama’s (Redistribution) or McCain’s (No taxes and cut bureaucracy) tax proposals, which one would you support and why?
Warning! Loose Change Can Be Hazardous to Your Health!
Money can be hazardous to your health. Two medical researchers at the University of Louisville have been looking into the question and have found that 13% of coins and 42% of paper money carry disease-producing organisms. Small denomination coins and bills are more dangerous because of their rapid turnover.
(Materials from Homiletics, Vol. 20, No. 5, pp. 60-62 and Lectionary Homiletics, Vol. XIX, No. 6, pp. 24-25)