A Word from Matthew 22

This weekend, as we celebrate the 250^th anniversary of our nation’s Declaration of Independence, it’s worth reflecting on the gratitude and the debt of loyalty that we owe this country. As I think we all know, we’ve been blessed beyond measure! And part of that blessing comes—not because we’re inherently worthy of it—but because we’ve had the good fortune to be born in a land where the rights, and freedoms, and principles on which we stand have created an environment in which we can thrive.

Of course, as Christians, we know that our nation isn’t the only power to which we owe gratitude and loyalty. We also have an obligation to God—a call to worship, and obey, and serve Him. And from a time long before America existed, believers in God have wrestled with the question of what to do when these loyalties seem to be in conflict.

And so, it’s fitting that today’s word comes from Matthew 22, in which the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus in a question about loyalty. And I’m pretty sure you know the story. They ask Jesus if it’s right for God’s people to pay taxes to the emperor, knowing that if he says, “Yes,” they can say that he isn’t loyal to Got; but if he says, “No,” they can accuse him of being insufficiently patriotic.

But Jesus knows what they’re up to. And so, he asks them for a coin. And when they bring it to him, he says, “Whose head is on this coin, and whose title?” And they respond, “The emperor’s.” And that’s when Jesus lays down an important principle: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (22:21)

So this weekend, let’s give to our nation the gratitude and loyalty and celebration that is so richly deserves. And let’s be sure to give to God the love and allegiance and obedience that only He deserves. Amen.