TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR'S

 © Carlos Padilla, January 2013

...Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Luke 20:25. Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17.

To Caesar the things that are Caesar's is a Biblical exposition that compares the current situation of today's global society based on economy, with the one that the people of Israel faced before the Roman occupation, like we live today occupied by the bureaucratic governments which are becoming more and more powerful and controllers of the liberty of the citizen, and oppressors of those who fight to make it.

INTRODUCTION

The financial crisis at present in almost all the world, together with the so called cut backs in civil and social rights, to which we are used to, as a result of over spending - whether governments or families - over their capacity, and the way families are being treated, those living the toughest situations, foreclosed their homes unmercifully, makes the common citizen think, and act, but especially if one fears God and has mercy of his neighbour, or for suffering the situation personally, the one of this society that we could call Rome. We must not forget that this is a new situation, but, why is the third world so easily forgotten?.

We known that Roman Law is the one being applied in justice, at least in the western world, and in this world the one being hit by a -growing difference- between a poorer middle class, the poor, every time more under the verge, and the now even more rich classes.

Those in power have the control as long as they do what their voters want, so they will vote them, living aside moral and ethics, and impose laws to the citizens. Not all is the system's fault, for also the people have fallen into the temptation of consumption, loans and the easy life, blinded by the immediateness of acquiring, thinking: we'll pay later!. History has proven that man, and all his political systems are a failure, whether from one side or another, because man has an illness that corrupts him and makes him unmerciful in all instances: sin.

TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR'S

But let's see to what level Caesar, and what it symbolizes, is routed in society and even in Bible prophecies.

...And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: ²²Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? ²³But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? ²⁴Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. ²⁵And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. ²⁶And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. Luke 20:21-26.

The enemies of Christ, however, use to distort His teachings -like many do today- saying that He had prohibited paying taxes, to accuse Him; Luke 23:2.

...And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-7.

Caesar is the starting point in the edict for registration, which was part of the prophecy regarding the place of birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem.

...And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. ¹³When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. ¹⁴And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! ¹⁵But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. ¹⁶Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. John 19:12-16.

Here we see the hypocrite convenience of the priests to make themselves friends of Caesar, to the point of calling him their only king, in order to kill the Messiah.

...While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. ⁹But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? ¹⁰Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. ¹¹For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. ¹²Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. Acts 25:8-12.

And Paul appealed to Roman Law, and appeals to Caesar to remain alive before the attack of the Sanhedrin.

Therefore, Caesar is a synonymous of a system of government present in every instance of society, as well as the historical person/s, a symbol of how the world works, and how those in power that don't fear God stick to it to take advantage, and don't care about others.

JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

The vision Jesus Christ has of the world, He has embedded into the Church, and is completely the opposite from the panorama we find today. Christian hope and moral is not based on economy, nor on human government, but on the Kingdom of God. Therefore we see that the Church, in all its denominations, is always found doing charity work, helping those who have less, not only spiritually, but materially, as a good Samaritan, acting before injustice, and praying for adverse situations, knowing that this situation is the fruit of the enemy of God and man, and sin, which is to live without God.

But man can, and undoubtedly must, look to the guidance of Jesus Christ. This guide will take him to confront, like Adam and Eve, how he is going to rule his life, and how to solve his matters. The way he sees the Tree of the centre of Eden will be for the mind of man what will determine if he will, or will not, receive the Mind of Christ. The Church is a body of born again people, that through the gift of faith have received the Mind of Christ. This Mind has the thinking and vision, that even though this situation is ruled by Caesar, the point of view is that Caesar is under the ruling of God. This way, the Christian, can give to God what is God's in opposition to those non Christians, and this way seek help in God, not in Caesar: the system. In the second part we will go deeper into what it is to give to God what is God's.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

The good Samaritan is he who helps his neighbour, no matter who he is, when he needs. The Christian does this, this way, and in the name of Christ. The story can be read in Luke 10:25-37. The reading will take us to the conclusion that he who does mercy to others, is called a good Samaritan before God, and by God. However this is the opposite of what we find in society.

Why governments receive and give every time more thousands of millions in credits from central banks, to banks, while they foreclose mortgages of families that now cannot pay for their only homes, but who could, if they were helped?. Aren't these families those clients that allow these same banks to make profit charging interests?. However the system is totally antisocial, I refer to those who are really trying to succeed, but that cannot fight against a crisis that is before them. To such extent that it has become a social problem of priority in many countries that are facing the suicide of their citizens before losing their homes where their children, espouses and elders live. Left on the streets with just their clothes, and having to cue up at churches to eat, dress and live. Paradoxically, the banks afterwards sell those houses for much less than what their foreclosed clients owed, to big investment groups, losing thousand of millions, and later try to collect the money from these families for life, on one hand, and then the rest of citizens will compensate paying more taxes, to pay the credits that central banks and governments give to these banks, on the other hand, because ...to Caesar the things that are Caesar.

The good banking Samaritan, if he was a bit more intelligent, not only through a charity point of view, but also for profit, would act offering the possibility of extensions and credit help to these families, he would always have his interest paid in the long run, and would not lose as much as when selling these homes to the big investment groups, because every family will keep trying to pay for what they love most, their own members, and their homes. On the other hand, unemployment increases everywhere, and the world is globalized. The jobs that are paid in the Western world with a salary of 1000 Dollars, are paid with 100 in the Eastern world. With this panorama, the world will be exactly that, global. Companies have to optimize their costs to survive, to be able to compete in the free market. Meanwhile the large multinational corporations are still taking advantage, a kind of fiscal immunity, making use of tax engineering, in those countries where they pay less, while the average citizen pays the crazy increase of his government. Until when?.

Isn't this the atmosphere of a world about to explode socially?. Isn't this the situation prior to the two World Wars of the 20th century?. Isn't it the previous scenario for a world dictator called antichrist?.

In the mean time those with a heart like the good Samaritan, will keep doing good works, helping, today more than ever, those neighbour citizens suffering the worst, because many who never thought that would fall from their status, now cue up for a plate of hot food, and live in the street, any who least expects can find himself in this situation, therefore everyone pray to God, in Jesus name, who awaits with open arms in Jesus Christ, our Saviour, not only of the soul, but also of the daily life. Lets pray that no matter where we are, we may give God the glory, like Paul use to say: ...I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13.

Because Caesar will not be who solves the problems, but us, seeking the guide of the Word of God, obey the Wise Father that we have and follow His guidance in all things, and let's not lose hope nor faith, because the Kingdom of God is, and will be established, and we will live in the blessing of Heavens, that over abounds. God wants us to live in blessing and prosperity, but these do not come through Caesar, but through God.

CONCLUSION

Today's world trusts in economy, instead of in God. The consequences we can see every day in the news. The Bible says: ...For the love of money is a root of all evil... 1Timothy 6:10. However God wants to bless us and give us prosperity, but society does not teach that this comes from God. But money is not the thing those in power seek the most, but power. The system, or Caesar, will not solve the life of man. It is man who must seek in God how to solve his life, and in Christ that we find the Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6.

How many times in life have you asked God for help, instead of going to the things established in your society, in your country?. Jesus Christ is the only hope, our best friend.

In the second study, from the two that make this title in an exposition of the present situation, we will see, God willing, the other side of the reply of the Master, which is the solution that Jesus Christ offers: ...And to God the things that are God's.