Perspective: A Time and a Place

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A Time and a Place

Knowing their evil motives, Jesus replied, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?"

Matthew 22:18 (CEB)

We're not cynics, we just don't believe a word you say
We're not critics, we just hate it all anyway

From "Cynics & Critics" by Icon for Hire

My Sunday school class typically discusses current events in light of the Christian faith, so on some occasions we end up delving into some potentially controversial subjects.  Our meeting last Sunday was one such occasion.  I don't really like wading into controversial topics on my blog, but since I've been struggling to figure out what to write lately, I briefly considered sharing on this blog some of the thoughts I shared with my class on Sunday.

I chickened out.  When it comes to matters in which people are sharply divided, I am usually able to see what is good and what is problematic about either side.  Because people tend to be quick to take sides and to demonize everyone who doesn't side with them, I feared that I might end up angering people on both sides with my thoughts on the subject at hand.  Furthermore, having wasted a lot of time on social media websites, I know how toxic people can be on the Internet, where they don't have to look each other in the eyes when they spit their venom at each other.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that one day, while Jesus and His disciples are in Capernaum, some tax collectors confront the disciple Simon and ask him whether or not his Teacher pays the "temple tax."¹  In Jesus' day, every Jewish person is expected to pay a certain amount of money to support their religious system, which is headquartered in Jerusalem.²  Simon confirms that Jesus does in fact pay the tax.³

Later that day, Jesus asks Simon, in private, "What do you think, Simon?  From whom do earthly kings collect taxes, from their children or from strangers?"⁴

Simon replies, "From strangers."⁵

Jesus says, "Then the children don't have to pay."⁶  Jesus, who is critical of the religious system of His day, seems to be suggesting that, as children of God, people should never be forced to financially support a religious institution.  Not wanting to rock the proverbial boat too much at this time, Jesus then tells Simon where to find a coin to pay the temple tax for both of them.⁷

In the same Gospel, we read that later on, in Jerusalem, some religious leaders meet with some supporters of Herod, Rome's puppet king of Judea, and together confront Jesus about the contentious subject of taxation once again.  Obviously trying to pin Him between a rock and a hard place, they ask Him whether or not Jewish Law permits paying taxes to the Roman emperor.⁸  If Jesus says that that paying taxes to Caesar is permissible, then He will draw the ire people who resent their Roman oppressors and their taxation.  If He says that paying taxes to Caesar is not permissible, He will find Himself in hot water with the Roman Empire.⁹

Jesus, unwilling to play the game of His detractors, simply tells them to "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God," never explicitly stating "what belongs to Caesar" or "what belongs to God."¹⁰

I cannot help but notice that Jesus seems to speak more candidly about the controversial topic of taxation when He is speaking privately with his closest followers than when He is speaking publicly with His detractors.  He knows what He was put on this planet to do, and He does not want to be drawn into any unnecessary conflicts that would distract Him from His purpose.  Jesus is showing us the importance of knowing how to pick our battles.  We would do well not to allow ourselves to be drawn into every controversy.

Maybe Jesus is also showing us that not every conversation should be held in public.  Maybe some conversations are just better suited for small, intimate settings like Sunday school classes, where people already know and respect each other.  And in the age of the Internet, maybe some conversations are more productive in settings where people can see each other's faces and hear each other's voices and where relative anonymity doesn't give people the license to be excessively toxic.


Notes:

1. Matthew 17:24
2. N.T Wright.  Matthew for Everyone, Part 2.  2004, Westminster John Knox Press.  p. 23
3. Matthew 17:25
4. Matthew 17:25 (CEB)
5. Matthew 17:26 (CEB)
6. ibid.
7. Matthew 17:27
8. Matthew 22:15-17
9. William Barclay.  The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, Volume Two.  2001, Saint Andrew Press.  p. 318
10. Matthew 22:18-21 (CEB)

The Tribute Money was painted by Leopold Layer around 1800.