When is Patriotism An Idol?
Sermon
CRITICAL DECISIONS IN FOLLOWING JESUS
Sermons ForPentecost (Last Third)
Almost everyone who has been brought up in the church has heard of the "taxes to Caesar" story. "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?" they asked Jesus. Allegiance to the empire and to God is the issue. Jesus' patriotism is being called into question. I want to talk to you about when patriotism becomes an idol.
The setting is important. It was toward the end of Jesus' ministry, just before his death. His vision was focused. He was going to Jerusalem. There he would be confronted with life and death issues. There he would die on the cross. You catch from the teachings of Jesus that Surround this text, a kind of urgency, a kind of confrontation with ultimate questions, questions that probe the depth of one's being. There is in the parables and sayings of Jesus at this point, a question of ultimate authority and allegiance. By what criteria or authority do you make decisions, establish values, find meaning and purpose?
In the sayings of Jesus that surround this text, there is also a number of references to the consequences of one's decisions. Jesus is saying that some day we are going to have to answer for what we do, what we decide. We are accountable. Here are some happenings and stories that surround our text:
- The money changers are driven out of the temple. Wrong choices regarding economics catch up with you.
- The fig tree is cursed because there is no fruit on it. There is expectation or else.
- Jesus said to the religious leaders of the Israelites — the kingdom of God will be taken away and given to a nation producing fruits of the kingdom. Judgment is real.
- During these closing discourses Jesus talks about the door being shut on the bridesmaids without oil and the goats on the left hearing the words "Depart from me."
- When servants made light of the invitation to the marriage feast, the king was angry and destroyed them all. He then turned to harlots and tax collectors.
This kind of talk sets the stage for the "taxes to Caesar" story. What Jesus had been saying challenged the listeners' thinking, their belief system, their traditions, their allegiances, their positions of privilege, their patriotism. Attention was on edge.
Jesus Is Tested Where Vulnerable
So they put Jesus to the test. They wanted to get Jesus to comment and say what they thought he was saying, so they could discredit him, entangle him in his words, prove to the audience that he was a revolutionary that should be silenced. They suspected in their hearts that he was soft on patriotism, so they went after his Achilles' heel.
You can feel the atmosphere. The air is tense with emotion. "What do you mean God may take the kingdom away from us and give it to another nation? Are you suggesting that our faith, our religious values, our leaders are wrong — are misguided — are leading us down the wrong way?" Their conscience is pricked. Their long held traditions are challenged. They are upset because Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, their idolatry.
So they pick an issue he has alluded to and they try to pin him to the wall. Patriotism — that's a sacred cow that he has failed to worship. Let's ask him about allegiance to the empire, to government authority. That will get people stirred up, divided. They'll stop listening to him if we can expose his lack of patriotism. We'll get this radical teacher to say something that will call his patriotism into question. He's been questioning our uncritical acceptance of those in authority — the status quo — the present world order. Let's give him a scenario that will force him to reveal his lack of allegiance to the government, to Caesar.
"Teacher — we know you are true and teach the way of God." Boy, that really sets one up, doesn't it. Teacher, you don't seem to care what the polls say, what popular opinion is. You are not that impressed or care what a person's title is or how many degrees one has or where one hails from. Tell us, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
They knew that Jesus taught a way that was in direct conflict with Caesar on many points. Caesar stood for the sword — conquer, control by violence. Jesus taught non-violence — turn the other cheek, equality among the sexes.
They knew that Jesus taught the way of justice, cooperation and partnership. Caesar stood for power over others, acquisition of wealth, dominance over others and manipulation.
They knew that Jesus was polls apart from Caesar in his teachings about loving one's enemy, suffering on behalf of others, respecting all people.
There was no doubt in their mind where Jesus stood with regard to Caesar and his politics, his economics, his warring madness. So in their crafty manner they plot, "Let's test Jesus to see if he will say it. Let's bring out the implication of his teachings. Then they will accuse him of being unpatriotic." Their question was both cunning and clever. "Tell us, is it ..."
Jesus Answers Without Answering
Verse 18 shows that Jesus was aware of their malice. He knew the game they were playing, and he tells it like it is. "Why put me to the test you hypocrites?" I know what you are doing, and I'm not playing your game. So he proceeds not to answer their question. That's important to observe from this text. Jesus answers but he does not really answer their question. Noted biblical scholar Norman Gottwold observes that Jesus refuses to give an outright answer. Instead he throws the question back upon the questioners. He doesn't speak his full mind on the topic. They knew where Jesus stood. He knew that they knew where he stood, so he refused to fall into the trap. "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites." He announces to the audience that he's up to their tricks and he won't get sucked in.
Without first understanding this, we may use this text for all kinds of bad theology and faulty interpretation of the Bible. This text has been used by some to defend the separation of church and state. It has been used by some to defend keeping politics out of the church. It has been used by some to defend uncritical allegiance to government authority, even when it goes against your conscience. It has been used by some to defend civil religion, giving divine status to the empire. Few passages in the Bible are more misused than this one.
A faulty interpretation of this text can lead the church into all kinds of behavior that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. It can leave us with a gospel that is empty of power to change society's exploitation of creation. It can lead Christians into a kind of uncritical submission to any and all authority in violation of one's conscience, a kind of idolatry of the empire. The church has often been unable or unwilling to serve as a social conscience to society because of a faulty interpretation of this text.
What do I mean, Jesus didn't answer the question? He doesn't address what is lawful. They asked, "Is it lawful?" He doesn't answer that. He doesn't say yes. He doesn't say no. Behind the question is the whole idea of Caesar as more than a legitimate authority. Is Caesar an ultimate authority? Are his policies consistent with the values of the kingdom of God? Notice Jesus does not condone or condemn Caesar's policies in his reply. He already established his differences with Caesar in his previous teachings. So with great skill, Jesus answers them without really answering their question. And those who were followers would know what is Caesar's and what is God's, what allegiance is legitimate and what is idolatry.
This is one of those texts where those who are following, those who are listening to the teachings of Jesus — those who are Spirit led — will know what Jesus was saying because of what he had been saying. Those who are in tune with what Jesus stood for will marvel at how he answered them without answering their question. On the other hand, those who are religious but not following Jesus may, of course, use Jesus' answer to support any number of beliefs about civil authority and allegiance to the empire.
One Cannot Serve Two Masters
Jesus knew that there is nothing that belongs to Caesar and does not first belong to God. His disciples knew that. He made it clear that you cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money God and Caesar — God and the empire — God and something else. You have to choose where your ultimate allegiance is.
Whether we pay taxes (money) to Caesar, we must pass the first test: Does this please God? Does this enable me to be faithful to my supreme allegiance, which is the kingdom of God? Does it serve the cause of justice for all God's creation?
Friends, there are not two gods for us. We do not split our ultimate allegiance in two directions. Part of me follows God, part of me follows the empire. Money belongs to Caesar and the Bible belongs to God. On Sunday I listen to God and on Monday I listen to Caesar. That's not what this text suggests in any way, shape or form. We need to come to grips with this as we grapple with life's choices and values. There is nothing, not even taxes or orders from Caesar to go to war, that can escape passing through the test of my allegiance to God, my obedience to my conscience.
The ultimate issue at stake here is the first commandment. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind. If Jesus would have suggested by his answer that some things belong to Caesar, no matter what, it would have been in direct violation of the first commandment. He would have made an idol of patriotism. Nothing belongs to Caesar that does not first and ultimately belong to God. Remembering this helps us see the irony in Jesus' answer.
The Great Temptation
What I want to suggest this morning is that here is a great temptation we often face. It is a temptation to violate the first commandment, to have other gods, other allegiances that take precedence over our allegiance to God. Not that we would replace God — or deny God — or stop believing in God. That's not a temptation for most of us. But the great temptation is to put Caesar along side of God, and in essence say — In some things I follow Caesar, in some things I follow my conscience. It is the temptation to serve God and Caesar at the same time with equal or shared authority over our conscience. And let me tell you, it's seductively tempting; it's powerful. Sometimes you don't know you are being tested until it's all over.
When Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread, when he was tempted to fall down from the temple, to prove the power of God, when he was tempted to bow down for a moment so that his ultimate goal could be achieved, it was no easy decision. There were forces — circumstances and rational arguments for going along with the suggestions. Jesus' temptations were very real. They were tempting.
Patriotism is a good thing. Every nation needs people who are committed to its security, its survival and its well being. It is good and natural to love one's homeland. The question is, when does patriotism become an idol, something that competes with my allegiance to God.
Do you remember the story of Daniel in the lion's den? I loved this story as a child. Have you told it to your children recently? Caesar, who then was called Nebuchadnezzar, had decreed a law that no one should pray to any other god but him. The empire needed a sign of loyalty and a gesture of unity from its citizens. It was a flag waving time. He asked all citizens to give their full allegiance to the empire. Daniel, however, had a higher allegiance. So it was again a question of patriotism — Caesar or God, the power of public policy vs. the individual conscience. I think somehow my Sunday school teachers missed the opportunity to show us children how this story applies to our lives today. I don't remember seeing any danger, any great temptations to give our allegiance to the empire at the cost of violating our conscience. I wasn't helped to see the Nebuchadnezzar is often dressed in the attire of patriotism — national security — economic growth — military might. That, my friend, is the great temptation today. Where is our ultimate allegiance?
You may be tempted to cheat on your income tax.
You may be tempted to cheat on your wife or husband.
You may be tempted to sleep in on Sunday.
You may be tempted to waste your money on the lottery or some other risky venture.
You may be tempted to lie, steal, covet, swear.
But the great temptation, the one that is the ultimate test, the one that shapes everything we do, is the temptation to idolatry. The temptation to have more than one God, to serve two masters. The temptation to give part of our ultimate allegiance to Caesar and part to God. The temptation to bow our knees before two altars — the flag and the cross.
It is a powerful temptation. It is real for every one of us. If we have not wrestled with it, maybe we have already given in to it. If we do not recognize this temptation with its modern application, it may be a sign that we have not come to grips with what it means to follow Jesus. There is strong peer pressure, pressure from our surroundings — popular opinion polls, the need to stay employed. No one wants to be considered unpatriotic, different. Everyone should love and serve their own nation with honor. We are thankful for what our country has given us. Patriotism is good except when it becomes an idol.
There is strong pressure to try to have it both ways. We want God and we want national security and prosperity. We want God and we want the benefits of Caesar's policy. So we try to separate our religion and our politics, our Sundays from our Mondays.
There is strong pressure to delay our decision of ultimate allegiance, put off choosing, being middle of the roaders, being silent, hoping that somehow we won't have to decide, take sides, reveal our true master.
The great temptation — is it God or Caesar that I follow — comes to the surface for us at special moments in our lives. It came in a powerful way to Jesus when he was in the wilderness for 40 days just after his baptism. There are certain moments in life when we are confronted, tested, tempted. Will our ultimate allegiance be to God and the conscience God has given us, or will we divide our allegiance and try to live with two ultimate authorities in order to get along, to avoid conflict. The choices seldom seem to be black and white. We are confronted when we are most vulnerable. It's not easy.
When Jesus withstood the temptation, it says the angels came and ministered to him. God sent his angels to Daniel in the lion's den. I believe that God's angels will minister to you, too, as you withstand the great temptation to bow down to Caesar at the cost of violating your conscience. God's presence will be made real to you.
We need the presence of Jesus given us in the sacrament this morning. Come — receive his body and his blood as he reveals his love to us. Come, experience the presence of angels in the sacrament as Jesus gives himself to us. Come, be empowered to follow your conscience to give your ultimate allegiance to God. Having experienced that touch of God we can go out and love our country, our world by loving God first. Amen.
The setting is important. It was toward the end of Jesus' ministry, just before his death. His vision was focused. He was going to Jerusalem. There he would be confronted with life and death issues. There he would die on the cross. You catch from the teachings of Jesus that Surround this text, a kind of urgency, a kind of confrontation with ultimate questions, questions that probe the depth of one's being. There is in the parables and sayings of Jesus at this point, a question of ultimate authority and allegiance. By what criteria or authority do you make decisions, establish values, find meaning and purpose?
In the sayings of Jesus that surround this text, there is also a number of references to the consequences of one's decisions. Jesus is saying that some day we are going to have to answer for what we do, what we decide. We are accountable. Here are some happenings and stories that surround our text:
- The money changers are driven out of the temple. Wrong choices regarding economics catch up with you.
- The fig tree is cursed because there is no fruit on it. There is expectation or else.
- Jesus said to the religious leaders of the Israelites — the kingdom of God will be taken away and given to a nation producing fruits of the kingdom. Judgment is real.
- During these closing discourses Jesus talks about the door being shut on the bridesmaids without oil and the goats on the left hearing the words "Depart from me."
- When servants made light of the invitation to the marriage feast, the king was angry and destroyed them all. He then turned to harlots and tax collectors.
This kind of talk sets the stage for the "taxes to Caesar" story. What Jesus had been saying challenged the listeners' thinking, their belief system, their traditions, their allegiances, their positions of privilege, their patriotism. Attention was on edge.
Jesus Is Tested Where Vulnerable
So they put Jesus to the test. They wanted to get Jesus to comment and say what they thought he was saying, so they could discredit him, entangle him in his words, prove to the audience that he was a revolutionary that should be silenced. They suspected in their hearts that he was soft on patriotism, so they went after his Achilles' heel.
You can feel the atmosphere. The air is tense with emotion. "What do you mean God may take the kingdom away from us and give it to another nation? Are you suggesting that our faith, our religious values, our leaders are wrong — are misguided — are leading us down the wrong way?" Their conscience is pricked. Their long held traditions are challenged. They are upset because Jesus exposes their hypocrisy, their idolatry.
So they pick an issue he has alluded to and they try to pin him to the wall. Patriotism — that's a sacred cow that he has failed to worship. Let's ask him about allegiance to the empire, to government authority. That will get people stirred up, divided. They'll stop listening to him if we can expose his lack of patriotism. We'll get this radical teacher to say something that will call his patriotism into question. He's been questioning our uncritical acceptance of those in authority — the status quo — the present world order. Let's give him a scenario that will force him to reveal his lack of allegiance to the government, to Caesar.
"Teacher — we know you are true and teach the way of God." Boy, that really sets one up, doesn't it. Teacher, you don't seem to care what the polls say, what popular opinion is. You are not that impressed or care what a person's title is or how many degrees one has or where one hails from. Tell us, is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
They knew that Jesus taught a way that was in direct conflict with Caesar on many points. Caesar stood for the sword — conquer, control by violence. Jesus taught non-violence — turn the other cheek, equality among the sexes.
They knew that Jesus taught the way of justice, cooperation and partnership. Caesar stood for power over others, acquisition of wealth, dominance over others and manipulation.
They knew that Jesus was polls apart from Caesar in his teachings about loving one's enemy, suffering on behalf of others, respecting all people.
There was no doubt in their mind where Jesus stood with regard to Caesar and his politics, his economics, his warring madness. So in their crafty manner they plot, "Let's test Jesus to see if he will say it. Let's bring out the implication of his teachings. Then they will accuse him of being unpatriotic." Their question was both cunning and clever. "Tell us, is it ..."
Jesus Answers Without Answering
Verse 18 shows that Jesus was aware of their malice. He knew the game they were playing, and he tells it like it is. "Why put me to the test you hypocrites?" I know what you are doing, and I'm not playing your game. So he proceeds not to answer their question. That's important to observe from this text. Jesus answers but he does not really answer their question. Noted biblical scholar Norman Gottwold observes that Jesus refuses to give an outright answer. Instead he throws the question back upon the questioners. He doesn't speak his full mind on the topic. They knew where Jesus stood. He knew that they knew where he stood, so he refused to fall into the trap. "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites." He announces to the audience that he's up to their tricks and he won't get sucked in.
Without first understanding this, we may use this text for all kinds of bad theology and faulty interpretation of the Bible. This text has been used by some to defend the separation of church and state. It has been used by some to defend keeping politics out of the church. It has been used by some to defend uncritical allegiance to government authority, even when it goes against your conscience. It has been used by some to defend civil religion, giving divine status to the empire. Few passages in the Bible are more misused than this one.
A faulty interpretation of this text can lead the church into all kinds of behavior that is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. It can leave us with a gospel that is empty of power to change society's exploitation of creation. It can lead Christians into a kind of uncritical submission to any and all authority in violation of one's conscience, a kind of idolatry of the empire. The church has often been unable or unwilling to serve as a social conscience to society because of a faulty interpretation of this text.
What do I mean, Jesus didn't answer the question? He doesn't address what is lawful. They asked, "Is it lawful?" He doesn't answer that. He doesn't say yes. He doesn't say no. Behind the question is the whole idea of Caesar as more than a legitimate authority. Is Caesar an ultimate authority? Are his policies consistent with the values of the kingdom of God? Notice Jesus does not condone or condemn Caesar's policies in his reply. He already established his differences with Caesar in his previous teachings. So with great skill, Jesus answers them without really answering their question. And those who were followers would know what is Caesar's and what is God's, what allegiance is legitimate and what is idolatry.
This is one of those texts where those who are following, those who are listening to the teachings of Jesus — those who are Spirit led — will know what Jesus was saying because of what he had been saying. Those who are in tune with what Jesus stood for will marvel at how he answered them without answering their question. On the other hand, those who are religious but not following Jesus may, of course, use Jesus' answer to support any number of beliefs about civil authority and allegiance to the empire.
One Cannot Serve Two Masters
Jesus knew that there is nothing that belongs to Caesar and does not first belong to God. His disciples knew that. He made it clear that you cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve God and money God and Caesar — God and the empire — God and something else. You have to choose where your ultimate allegiance is.
Whether we pay taxes (money) to Caesar, we must pass the first test: Does this please God? Does this enable me to be faithful to my supreme allegiance, which is the kingdom of God? Does it serve the cause of justice for all God's creation?
Friends, there are not two gods for us. We do not split our ultimate allegiance in two directions. Part of me follows God, part of me follows the empire. Money belongs to Caesar and the Bible belongs to God. On Sunday I listen to God and on Monday I listen to Caesar. That's not what this text suggests in any way, shape or form. We need to come to grips with this as we grapple with life's choices and values. There is nothing, not even taxes or orders from Caesar to go to war, that can escape passing through the test of my allegiance to God, my obedience to my conscience.
The ultimate issue at stake here is the first commandment. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind. If Jesus would have suggested by his answer that some things belong to Caesar, no matter what, it would have been in direct violation of the first commandment. He would have made an idol of patriotism. Nothing belongs to Caesar that does not first and ultimately belong to God. Remembering this helps us see the irony in Jesus' answer.
The Great Temptation
What I want to suggest this morning is that here is a great temptation we often face. It is a temptation to violate the first commandment, to have other gods, other allegiances that take precedence over our allegiance to God. Not that we would replace God — or deny God — or stop believing in God. That's not a temptation for most of us. But the great temptation is to put Caesar along side of God, and in essence say — In some things I follow Caesar, in some things I follow my conscience. It is the temptation to serve God and Caesar at the same time with equal or shared authority over our conscience. And let me tell you, it's seductively tempting; it's powerful. Sometimes you don't know you are being tested until it's all over.
When Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread, when he was tempted to fall down from the temple, to prove the power of God, when he was tempted to bow down for a moment so that his ultimate goal could be achieved, it was no easy decision. There were forces — circumstances and rational arguments for going along with the suggestions. Jesus' temptations were very real. They were tempting.
Patriotism is a good thing. Every nation needs people who are committed to its security, its survival and its well being. It is good and natural to love one's homeland. The question is, when does patriotism become an idol, something that competes with my allegiance to God.
Do you remember the story of Daniel in the lion's den? I loved this story as a child. Have you told it to your children recently? Caesar, who then was called Nebuchadnezzar, had decreed a law that no one should pray to any other god but him. The empire needed a sign of loyalty and a gesture of unity from its citizens. It was a flag waving time. He asked all citizens to give their full allegiance to the empire. Daniel, however, had a higher allegiance. So it was again a question of patriotism — Caesar or God, the power of public policy vs. the individual conscience. I think somehow my Sunday school teachers missed the opportunity to show us children how this story applies to our lives today. I don't remember seeing any danger, any great temptations to give our allegiance to the empire at the cost of violating our conscience. I wasn't helped to see the Nebuchadnezzar is often dressed in the attire of patriotism — national security — economic growth — military might. That, my friend, is the great temptation today. Where is our ultimate allegiance?
You may be tempted to cheat on your income tax.
You may be tempted to cheat on your wife or husband.
You may be tempted to sleep in on Sunday.
You may be tempted to waste your money on the lottery or some other risky venture.
You may be tempted to lie, steal, covet, swear.
But the great temptation, the one that is the ultimate test, the one that shapes everything we do, is the temptation to idolatry. The temptation to have more than one God, to serve two masters. The temptation to give part of our ultimate allegiance to Caesar and part to God. The temptation to bow our knees before two altars — the flag and the cross.
It is a powerful temptation. It is real for every one of us. If we have not wrestled with it, maybe we have already given in to it. If we do not recognize this temptation with its modern application, it may be a sign that we have not come to grips with what it means to follow Jesus. There is strong peer pressure, pressure from our surroundings — popular opinion polls, the need to stay employed. No one wants to be considered unpatriotic, different. Everyone should love and serve their own nation with honor. We are thankful for what our country has given us. Patriotism is good except when it becomes an idol.
There is strong pressure to try to have it both ways. We want God and we want national security and prosperity. We want God and we want the benefits of Caesar's policy. So we try to separate our religion and our politics, our Sundays from our Mondays.
There is strong pressure to delay our decision of ultimate allegiance, put off choosing, being middle of the roaders, being silent, hoping that somehow we won't have to decide, take sides, reveal our true master.
The great temptation — is it God or Caesar that I follow — comes to the surface for us at special moments in our lives. It came in a powerful way to Jesus when he was in the wilderness for 40 days just after his baptism. There are certain moments in life when we are confronted, tested, tempted. Will our ultimate allegiance be to God and the conscience God has given us, or will we divide our allegiance and try to live with two ultimate authorities in order to get along, to avoid conflict. The choices seldom seem to be black and white. We are confronted when we are most vulnerable. It's not easy.
When Jesus withstood the temptation, it says the angels came and ministered to him. God sent his angels to Daniel in the lion's den. I believe that God's angels will minister to you, too, as you withstand the great temptation to bow down to Caesar at the cost of violating your conscience. God's presence will be made real to you.
We need the presence of Jesus given us in the sacrament this morning. Come — receive his body and his blood as he reveals his love to us. Come, experience the presence of angels in the sacrament as Jesus gives himself to us. Come, be empowered to follow your conscience to give your ultimate allegiance to God. Having experienced that touch of God we can go out and love our country, our world by loving God first. Amen.
