Death And Taxes
Scripture References
Isaiah 45:1-7
Cyrus, God’s Instrument
1 Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: 2 “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. 4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[1] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers[2] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Matthew 22:15-22
Paying Taxes to Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 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. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 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.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.
Sermon Script
Death And Taxes
When America was being established, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter in 1789 that is only remembered by one line… He writes, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” I guess you could say he is not wrong. For sure, those two things have remained unavoidable. However, in the gospel lesson today, Jesus will give His two cents worth to those that are concerned about taxes… while at the same time, inching closer to facing death on the cross.
On this 21st Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to look at death and taxes in a different light. A bit ironic I suppose is the fact that the Gospel lesson today comes to us from a former tax collector. Early in the book that bears his name, Matthew shares with us that Jesus walked past his tax collector’s booth and called out to him… “Follow me.” If anyone knew what Ceasars coins were used for, it was Matthew. So, at that moment, following Jesus was probably not on the list of things that were certain in life. He soon found that Jesus gives him a new life and a new vocation. The man who once collected taxes for Caesar, became one of the twelve disciples who, for the next three years, followed and learned from our Great Teacher.
“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Today, they find themselves in Jerusalem’s Temple court with Jesus, where He is questioned once again. This time it is about taxes… A question asked by the Pharisees and Herod’s henchmen, who are called the Herodians, as they attempted to trap Jesus between loyalty to God and loyalty to Rome. Matthew writes in chapter 22 their question to Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
I suspect you could hear a pin drop in the room. If He answers, “Yes, you should,” the crowds will desert Him because they want Jesus to be the King who evicts the nasty Romans and the puppet tax collectors as Matthew once was. If He says, “No, you should not pay taxes to Caesar,” then the Romans will pounce on Him and arrest Him for sedition. They didn’t care if the answer would be yes or no because they think they have Him trapped either way. However, Jesus didn’t take the bait… instead Jesus asked, “Show me the coin for the tax… Whose likeness and inscription is this?”
Two Lordships
As Jesus asks them this question, even Matthew must know He is going to address more than just tax policy. Jesus is about to reveal two images and two very different kinds of lordship… Caesar’s image pressed into silver, and God’s image borne into a human life.
Matthew, once defined by loyalties, watched this unfold as Jesus was questioned. Do you suppose he could see it in their eyes as he witnessed the Pharisees and Herodians secretly plotting against Jesus? One thing is for certain…
Jesus spoke the truth to them which would open the door for their repentance. Not that it was expected, but Jesus was sent into this world to gather people divided by all loyalties… whether it be Romans driven by pride, Jews hiding behind fear, Pharisees of self-righteousness, or any other opposing political nuances, and give the same offer of grace to all.
Give To God The Things That Are Gods
I thought about these divided loyalties as I drove into town this morning. With campaign signs I saw posted along the roadside, it made me think about the candidates who have different loyalties… of which at times strain relationships among family members, friends, and neighbors. Amid these competing agendas, it is easy to become so focused on one side of the coin that we lose sight of the other.
So, Jesus knows whose image is on that coin as He is waiting for the Pharisees to respond… “Caesar’s” they reply. Then Jesus offers His solution, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Jesus does not humiliate those who were trying to pull Him into a trap. Instead, He speaks words that can invite them back to God. He was not there to win an argument, He is there in the presence of His enemies, leaving the door of mercy open even to the ones already plotting His death.
God’s Image
As you already know, God’s image is not on that coin… It is not on any coin… but it is on you. It is also on me, your neighbor, the people whose name appears on signs up and down the street, even the person who is hard to love.
You see, Caesar’s image had a limited claim upon a coin used for taxes, but we all bear the likeness of our Creator. In Baptism, God placed His image upon you by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. You now bear His name… The world may define you by various attributes or how you vote… But the image that matters the most is placed on us as created, redeemed, forgiven, loved… His own. Jesus is not flipping that coin to give a little to Caesar and a little to God… His image, His name, is claiming all of you.
God’s Name
Janice and I were talking about God’s name at the kitchen table the other day. That’s when she shared with me a portion of her devotion book that speaks of this. The author was telling a story about Valerie. Valerie was living the good life, happily married and a mother of four. She enjoyed running marathons and other outdoor activities. But as fate would have it, a medical condition took a large portion of that away. Her story is quite touching as she talks about her trials including eight surgeries, her husband leaving, depression set in… her yoke was heavy and she longed for the end of life.
The reason I bring you Valerie’s story is because she found comfort in God’s name. In fact, she come up with 100 names of God and went through them alphabetically at the beginning and end of each day. She said, “Every name of God calls me to rest in Him… every name of God tells me that I am held… every name tells me that I am loved… every name declares that I can trust in Him.”
That is the side of the coin that will give us peace, in the best of times, and especially during the hardest times of our lives.
Finding Peace
“Giving to God the things that are God’s…” When we can do that, it will give us peace when our political candidate does not get elected, our workplace gets hectic, our busy schedules overwhelm, money gets tight, and when conditions go south like they did for Valerie.
The Pharisees and Herodians however did not understand, nor did they want to. They had their mind set on proving that “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Sure enough, that very week, they proceeded with a plan to kill Jesus. And with the help of a mob that felt the same way, screamed before Pilot, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.” A name was given to Him that read, “King of the Jews” that was placed above His weak, bleeding body as He hung on the cross.
For a brief moment, the religious leaders, officers of Rome, even those that loved Him thought it was over when Jesus breathed His last and said “It is finished…” However, the ground shook, the sky darkened, tombs were opened, and the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. Jesus defeated death and the grave as He rose again on that glorious Easter morning. Jesus died for you, for me, and even those people that worked so hard to see Him hang on the cross.
The Gospel Message
This resurrection story is the Gospel message the disciples were sent out to proclaim. This is the message Paul preached on his missionary journeys as he was seeding Churches across Macedonia. This is why we now turn to the Epistle lessen as we look at what Paul was up to in Thessalonica…
Even though he was only there three weeks, his gospel message was drawing a lot of attention… and it was because of what he was preaching that found him being quickly chased out of town… pursued by the same regime that was trying to trip Jesus up about taxes. He then fled to Athens and on to Corinth where Paul writes his letter we heard a moment ago. His letter addressing questions the Thessalonian believers had about death.
Death Questioned
You see, this young congregation received the Gospel with great joy. In fact, Paul writes to them praising God for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” But at the same time, they were living under pressure… as some believers have died while waiting for Christ. They wondered… Had death taken them beyond the reach of Jesus? Would the last day bring rescue or terror? Paul assures them as he writes in verse 10, “to wait for God’s Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
If we turn a few pages in this same letter to chapter 4 verses 13-18, he paints this picture a little brighter. I summarize his words where he says… they are not lost, forgotten, or beyond Jesus’ reach. Because Jesus rose, they too will rise. When Christ returns, he will gather those together who have died and those who are still living, and all of them will be with Him forever. For those who belong to Jesus, the last day is not something to fear. It is the day when Christ raises the dead, reunites His people, and brings them home. That is why Paul concludes with verse 18, “Encourage one another with these words.”
Death And Taxes In A New Light
Benjamin Franklin’s old saying is starting to fall apart. Taxes may remind us that earthly powers still make their demands, and death may appear to make the final claim. But neither Caesar nor the grave gets to have the last word. Caesar cannot keep what bears God’s name, and death cannot keep those whom Christ has redeemed. All because… their future and ours has a face, and that face is Jesus… the crucified and risen Savior who died so we can live.
That truth was already starting to unfold in the temple. Sure, the Pharisees and Herodians meant to trap Jesus, and their bad intentions were real. Yet the failure of their scheme was not the end of the story. God used those people that questioned Jesus about taxes to unfold a greater story… The one that would answer why God sent His only Son to dwell on this earth. God used those that hated Him to fulfill His purpose… Yes, God knew all their plotting would send Jesus towards the cross where death itself would be defeated. That same provision is found in the Old Testament reading of Isaiah, where the idolatrous leader Cyrus is prophesied to release captives from exile. God can and will use the least expected people to accomplish His divine purpose.
God Is Alive In You
We must remember this when God’s care seems hidden. I know it would be comforting if He simply removed every obstacle from our lives. Sometimes He does, as He works through ordinary, imperfect people. His help may come through a doctor, a neighbor, a newly elected official, or even a stranger who does not even know Christ.
You might be the next person God uses to change the course of someone else’s life. God often works in unexpected ways, through unexpected people, to accomplish His gracious purposes.
Things Certain In Life
Give to God what belongs to God… the guilt that keeps returning, the worry that wakes you at night, the grief you cannot explain, the future you cannot control, and everything this world treats as certain. Place every burden in His hands, where Jesus has and will carry them to the cross. You see, death and taxes may be certain enough for a slogan, but they are not eternal. That’s why the final certainty is this… you bear God’s name; you are forgiven by His grace, held in His love, and forever His.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, because you belong to Him… faith rests in His promises, trust receives His daily gifts, and hope lifts its eyes toward the life He has prepared for you. He loves you and will bring you home to Him. There you will see Him face to face and share His peace for eternity. Until then… enjoy His presence, His forgiveness, His Word, and His love. These things we know… are certain.
Amen