Dual Citizenship
Matthew 22:15-22
by Jim Westmoreland
A young lady was soaking up the sun's rays on a Florida beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, "Do you believe in God?" She was surprised by the question but she replied, "Why, yes, I do." Then he asked her: "Do you go to church every Sunday?" Again, her answer was "Yes!" He then asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray everyday?" Again she said, "Yes!" By now her curiosity was very much aroused. The little lad sighed with relief and said, "Will you hold my quarter while I go in swimming?"
The little boy was straightforward and honest in his questions because he wanted to entrust to the lady something valuable. He understood as only a child can innately know that people are different. A part of that difference is what today's sermon, "Dual Citizenship," is about. A Christian is one who makes choices every day that are based on the duty and privilege of a citizenship that has a higher priority than what we do as citizens of our city and country living with the daily concerns of this world.
In our text today, the Pharisees are not being honest. They have no intent in entrusting Jesus with anything. They are not looking for the answer to a question. They don't want someone to hold their quarter. They are looking for a way to get rid of this trouble making Nazarene named Jesus.
The Pharisees were angry it blinded them. Think for a moment about the ironies here: We know, because we live on this side of the resurrection. We know that Jesus was God. They thought he was demonic, that he was an agent of Satan. We know that Jesus is the King of kings. They thought he wanted to be the King of Israel. We know that he was the Son of God. They thought he was simply Joseph and Mary's son. We know that Jesus has influenced the world for 2000 years. They thought his influence would end at the cross.
It's a fascinating story. We look at the Pharisees and we shake our heads. How could they have been so wrong when the truth was standing right in front of them? I believe they were upset because Jesus held them accountable and exposed their hypocrisy. Even today, we like our religion "light," no commitment, no accountability;, say one thing and do another. "Teacher, we know that you are sincere," they say to him, "and teach the way of God." Not for a moment did they believe in Jesus' sincerity. It was a set up. It was a way of putting him at ease before they stabbed him in the back. Tell us then, they continue, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor?
I suppose we ought to be grateful to the Pharisees. In their question, which Jesus says was motivated by malice, they prompt one of the greatest of Jesus' teachings. It may not seem like much on the face of it but its implications have echoed through the centuries and has shaped western societies. Jesus said, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."(1)
At times we wonder if Caesar is really due his portion. Federal Lawmakers tell us they are really concerned about the poor, the middle class and the Social Security System and yet refuse to be covered by it themselves. As Mark Twain once said, "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."
The taxes asked about in this passage was a poll tax that was levied by the Romans against the Jews beginning in A.D. 6 when Judea became a Roman province. When imposed for the first time, it provoked the rebellion of Judas the Galilean recorded in Acts 5:37. Among the various Jewish parties there were different points of view. The Herodians favored the tax, but the Zealots, Pharisees, and people resented it. The Pharisees and the Herodians, normally adversaries in New Testament times on the very issue of rendering obedience and taxes to the Roman Empire, found themselves working together to trap Christ in His words, trying to impale him on the horns of a serious dilemma.
Should the authority of Caesar be recognized and the poll tax be paid to him? If Christ were to have affirmed payment of the poll tax to Caesar, he would no doubt have pleased the Herodians, but He would have made Himself an even greater enemy of the Pharisees and of the people. The people resented the poll tax as an unlawful imposition by a heathen government. If, by contrast, Christ were to have denied that the poll tax be paid, he would have made Himself out to be an enemy of the state and possibly, subject Himself to the charge of sedition.(2)
Jesus' answer suggests that we are citizens of two kingdoms. One is of this world, and the other is beyond this world. It is much easier of us to be mindful of this world with all of its duties, loyalties and activities that occupy our mind and energy from the time we get up to the time we go to bed each day. Jesus is not calling us to a tunnel-vision kind of life. It is not a call to live our lives behind walls that keep us from living in this world, or walls that keep us from seeing and feeling the needs of people in our community and around the world. It is not a call to not be engaged with our neighbor nor absent from involvement in our community.
Jesus' call to recognize a dual citizenship is one that challenges us. It guides us. And it gives us a unique identity. It is an affirmation of who we are. What does it mean to give to God the things that are God's? When I answer this for myself, I have to begin with my belief that God is Creator and that all of life is a gift of God. He is the owner of the vineyard that I live and work in. All that I produce is His. He expects me to do something with my life and be productive. He expects me to never forget that He is the Lord of life and master of the vineyard. And, one of the ways I do that is through my stewardship of all that He has given me: my life, which includes my time and talents and my money, which is for us the fruit of our labors.
Living life as a citizen of the kingdom of God is not about hiding from the rest of the world. It is more like wearing a spiritual lense that allows us to see the world and all of its needs and activities more like God sees it. It is all God's creation, and we live in the middle of it. We are to participate with God in teaching others how to live as God's children by our worship, by our ministry to the needs of others and by being leaders and servants in caring for the poor, the widows and children, and for all who are disadvantaged.
Our money represents our values and identities in many ways. What do we do with it? God says that all of it is His, yet He only asks us to give 10% back to Him. Our giving is our way of reminding ourselves that we are citizens of the kingdom of God. Will we withhold our taxes from the government? Probably not. Jesus anticipates those who are looking for an easy way out. To the Pharisees and Herodians who wanted to trap Him, He said, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperors, and to God the things that are Gods."
Two friends were walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, one of them said, "What an interesting place to hear a cricket."
His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"
"No, I'm sure of it," his friend said, "I heard a cricket." "That's crazy," said his friend.
The man, who thought he had heard a cricket, listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.
"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!" "No," said the man who heard the cricket. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for." "But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise." "Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs. "See what I mean?" asked the man who heard the cricket. "It all depends on what's important to you."
In the end the Pharisees heard from Jesus what they were listening for.(3) When we are a citizen of heaven, we hear different sounds and respond to different prompts in our lives. When we look at our checkbooks and hear all the noises of things that compete for our time, attention and possessions, what sounds do you hear? Do you hear affirmation that you are a child of God, a citizen of the kingdom of heaven? If you do, then let those sounds guide you and teach you how to live with a dual citizenship. Amen.
Century Christian Church, October 16, 2005 - Sermon by Jim Westmoreland
www.centurychristian.org
1. From esermons.com illustrations for 10-16-05, Cycle A lectionary text from Matthew 22:15-22.
2. David G. Hagopian, article, "Render to All What Is Due Them: What Every Christian Needs to Know about Honoring Civil Authority and Paying Taxes," Part 2. Extracted from Ordained Servant vol. 4, no. 4 (October 1995).
3. Rev. Keenan Kelsey, sermon "Making Choices," Noe Valley Ministry, Presbyterian Church, USA, San Francisco, CA