Dear Class,
Today's readings:
Genesis 23; Matthew 21; Nehemiah 12; Acts 21
Matthew 22:21
They said to Him, “Caesar's.”
And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
An interesting verse that people sometimes misuse to justify actions "allowed" in specific contexts.
First of all, it was Jesus' keen wit to deflect the trickery of the Pharisees. Jesus knew where they were coming from (v. 15,18).
Yet secondly, the Master Teacher as usual weaves in profound truths within. The basic message is, render to honor to whom honor is due. Render obedience to where there's authority or to what's authorized. Paul later on elaborated in Romans 13:1-7, summing up perfectly in v.7 -
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
More importantly, we realize there is always an authorized manner. One cannot simply substitute. This is most crucial and yet oft neglected in spiritual matters. We render obedience to God, in fact it only makes sense to talk of obedience, ONLY if the obedience is rendered in accordance to what is demanded!
Let us be careful that we take heed to follow exactly what He has commanded.
