By Alex and Lokelani

Welcome to our Substack! As promised, we're providing deeper content to complement Amen podcast. This is the third and final part of our series examining Matthew 22:15-22, the famous passage about paying taxes to Caesar.

The Scripture

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words, and they sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care 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?"

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

When they heard it, they marveled, and they left him and went away. — Matthew 22:15-22

Key Message: What Should Consume Our Zeal?

In our final exploration of this passage, we examine Jesus' response through the lens of politics and what deserves our zealous devotion.

The Cultural Context

During Jesus' time, Caesar's coins represented more than currency—they contained inscriptions declaring Caesar divine. This created tension for devout Jews who recognized only one God. The religious leaders were attempting to trap Jesus with an impossible choice:

* If he said "pay taxes," religious Jews would see him endorsing idolatry

* If he said "don't pay taxes," Roman authorities would view him as an insurrectionist

Jesus' brilliant response transcended this false dichotomy while revealing a deeper truth.

The Image We Bear

When Jesus asked "whose image is on this coin?" he wasn't simply finding a clever escape from their trap. He was highlighting a profound truth about identity and allegiance.

Just as coins bear Caesar's image and belong to Caesar's domain, we bear God's image and belong to God. While we can participate in earthly systems (pay taxes, vote, engage in civic life), our primary identity and loyalty must remain with God.

Warning Signs: When Politics Overshadows Faith

Here are some warning signs that politics may be displacing spiritual priorities:

* Being more excited about political rallies than worship

* Speaking more passionately about candidates than Christ

* Skipping church to watch debates

* Defining fellow Christians primarily by their political affiliations

* Exhibiting rage rather than the fruit of the Spirit when discussing politics

Finding Balance: The Early Church Model

The early Christians weren't politically disengaged—they actively sought the welfare of their cities while maintaining ultimate allegiance to Christ. This dual posture made them both beneficial to society and threatening to those in power. They wanted the common good but refused to worship the emperor.

This is our model: we can be thoughtfully engaged citizens while remembering that our first love and ultimate hope lies not in political systems but in Christ's kingdom.

After the Amen

Am I zealous about the things of God? How does my passion for God's kingdom compare with other concerns in my life? When I discuss politics, do I exhibit the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh?

A Call to Wisdom

Politics tends to bring out strong emotions, often leading to division even among believers. Wisdom calls us to:

* Prioritize Kingdom values above partisan identities

* Engage respectfully with those holding different views

* Remember that sanctification happens at different paces

* Care deeply about our communities while maintaining our first love

Our goal isn't to create a perfect Christian nation through political power, but to live as faithful witnesses who reflect Christ's character in every sphere of life—including the political.

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