The Christian’s Respect for Law

Luke 20:19-26

SOME of the important teachings of Jesus were the result of efforts on the part of his enemies to entrap him and thus find an excuse to make charges against him, either before his own people or before the Roman authorities. He was always able to answer these “catch questions” in such a manner as to embarrass his enemies. They never did really find any just cause to accuse him, and when he was finally condemned to death it was largely upon the basis of his own confession that he was the Son of God and that he had come to earth to be a king.

Our lesson today deals with a situation which might well have resulted in embarrassment for the Master, but his wisdom caused it to result otherwise. “Spies” were sent to ask Jesus questions. First they used the age-old method of flattery in an effort to disarm him, to put him off guard as to their real intent. They professed to believe that he was a teacher of truth, and that he was in no sense influenced in his opinions by the prejudices of others. Then they propounded their question, “Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?”

The Jewish nation was chafing under the tribute exacted by their Roman overlords, and Jesus’ enemies probably reasoned that he would endeavor to please them and his other hearers by advising them to avoid paying tribute to Caesar whenever possible. Such advice would, of course, give them the opportunity they sought of making charges against him before the Romans and thus obtaining his arrest.

Probably many Jews at the time ordinarily would have felt very kindly toward anyone with ability who indicated his willingness to encourage a resistance movement. But Jesus saw through the scheme of these, spies, and asked them, “Why tempt ye me?” The temptation was to seek the favor of the Jews by teaching resistance to the demands of the Romans. On the other hand, had he said that they should pay tribute to the Roman government this would have displeased his Jewish friends, hence would have been a victory for his enemies.

Jesus’ enemies “marveled at his answer.” “They could not take hold of his words before the people,” the account states. In other words, their plot had failed, and at the same time divine providence had overruled in a way to establish a criterion for the guidance of the Lord’s people in the matter of their obligations to whatever civil government under which they may live.

We all know the story. Jesus asked to see one of the coins used throughout the Roman Empire as a medium of exchange. His enemies acknowledged that this “penny” bore the picture and superscription of Caesar. In other words, it actually belonged to the Roman government, and individuals, whether Jews or others, were merely permitted to use it as a convenient medium of exchange, which greatly simplified their economic problems. So, if the government needed a certain number of these coins back in order to meet its own expenses, it was their duty to render unto Caesar that which belonged to him.

But by rendering to Caesar the things which were his, no Jew would thus be depriving God of that which belonged to him, for their heart devotion to Jehovah need not in any degree be affected by their conformity to the laws of the civil government under which they lived and enjoyed a fair amount of protection, and a certain degree of liberty. It was in the providence of God that Israel was then in bondage to the Romans, and for them to rebel against the situation would not only be futile, but would show a disinclination on their part to bow to the will of God.

I Peter 2:13-17

“FOR the Lord’s sake.” When viewed from the proper standpoint the Christian’s obedience to civil law is in reality a part of his duty toward God. To take any other course would be disloyalty to God. The general purpose of the laws of all countries is to maintain order and to protect the people against evildoers. Christians may not always agree with the nature of the laws by which governments attempt to obtain this objective, but generally speaking, Christians and others have been much better off than they would have been had there been no law.

For the Christian to submit himself to the laws of the country in which he lives does not imply in any measure that he assumes the responsibility for those laws. Actually, our citizenship is in heaven. From one standpoint, we are as strangers here on earth, regardless of the country in which we live. From another standpoint, we are ambassadors, representing our country, our government, in an alien land. In either case, we are obligated to obey the laws of the country in which we reside. Indeed, the effectiveness of our ambassadorship is increased in proportion to the respect we show toward the laws of the country in which we live.

This does not mean that a Christian should violate his conscience. There are certain fundamental laws of God which should come first in every Christian’s life. One of these which perhaps more frequently than others comes into conflict with the laws of civil government has to do with military service. But even in this connection there has been a marked change in many countries within the last fifty years.

Now, in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and certain other countries, the law provides exemption from military service for those who are conscientiously opposed to it according to their understanding of the teachings of Christ. This means that a Christian, if he sees matters in this light, can be obedient to the law, and yet be exempt from military service.

But conditions have not been so favorable for the followers of the Master in other periods of the age, and many have been put to death because of their refusal at the behest of wicked rulers, to go contrary to their conscience. But this has been a high honor, for these, more than many of us, had the privilege of sharing in experiences very similar to those of their Master. While all of us have the privilege of dying with him, with many it is not in such a realistic sense as was experienced by Christian martyrs of the past.

QUESTIONS

Explain the circumstances under which Jesus said that we should render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things which are God’s.

Why is it proper for a Christian to obey the laws of the country in which he lives?

Are there ever any circumstances in which a Christian should not obey the laws of the land?

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