Trick Answer?

Text: Luke 20:20-26

Many of us have found ourselves cornered by questions asked more for their "squirm value" than for any information. The desire is to put one in a situation such that any answer will alienate people on one side or another of the matter at hand. Sometimes it's a fun game; other times we call it political reporting.

Politics of a sort were certainly on the minds of those who asked Jesus about the appropriateness of paying taxes to the Roman government. The thought was that a positive answer would alienate the populace which had come to adore him; a negative answer would raise the attention of the Roman consulate itself. Immediately perceiving the intent of the question, he turned the occasion directly to his advantage by pointing out that anything with Caesar's image must belong to him. Coins bear Caesar's image, but people bear God's image and are to be devoted to Him.

On one hand, this response might at first appear to be nothing more than a clever retort to a mischievous question. On the other hand, they were stunned by it--never saw it coming, left speechless in its wake. I have a strong feeling that God continues to have answers that would do the same to today's best attempts at cornering Him and His people. As Luke's text continues (tomorrow) another question is raised in the same spirit. The response is direct, but not delivered in anger; it does not accept the false dichotomies offered. It changes the terms of engagement so that the questioner is questioned.

Our world will always attempt to paint us into corners. If we would be like Jesus, we must be close enough to him to know his mind through the Spirit-directed study, not only of the Word of God, but of the minds of the people who bring the challenges and the cultural and political landscape that form them as well. And we seek to deliver the answers in a gentle way which turns away wrath. Trite responses will not do; wisdom must prevail.