Expectations, compromises, and alliances...

Mar 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

Backing up to Mark chapter 10, verse 33, we see that Jesus and his disciples were going to Jerusalem where “...the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:...” He is on his way to die. In chapter 11, Jesus sent two of his disciples to find a specific colt for him to ride into Jerusalem. On that ride he is called the “King of Israel” (see John 12:13 and Luke 19:37-39), making him a definite political target. Even the Pharisees who were part of his followers then said to him, “Master, rebuke thy disciples...” proving they didn't really believe. Then, Jesus went into the temple, throwing out the thieves. When the scribes and priests heard about that, they sought how they might destroy him (Mark 11:17-18). The next day when he was walking in the temple, the chief priest, scribes, and elders confronted him as to who had given him the authority to do and say the things he did. He answered with a question, saying if they would tell him if the baptism of John was from heaven or of men then he would answer their questions. They discussed it and decided they could not answer because they feared the masses that believed in and followed Jesus. So, Jesus did not answer them.

Next, Jesus began to teach using a parable; the story of the husbandmen in charge of the vineyard in Chapter 12 of Mark. The religious leaders knew he had spoken against them and as a result sent the best of the best Pharisees and Herodians (normally arch enemies) to catch Jesus in his words, to entrap him! They came on a political level asking if it is lawful to pay the taxes rendered by Caesar. You know the story, Jesus asked for a coin, they agreed the image and superscription was of Caesar, and he stated they should render the things that are Caesar's to Caesar. The Jews had accepted the government of Caesar whose had control over their economics. So, there really was no question about paying the taxes the emperor required!

However, the most important part of His statement is still to come. Jesus immediately added “...render...to God the things that are God's.” Have you ever focused on that last part? It seems that although they complained bitterly at times about the rule of the Romans that they had accepted, they haughtily rejected the Christ who had come to bring His people love, truth, and spiritual freedom. Israel could not stand firm or fall with a mere Tiberius or Herod, but only with God and His Anointed. Caesar had merely put his inscription on his coins....he can have them back! But as God's chosen people, through His promises, He put His STAMP on His people. He only wants to receive genuine gratitude from His people, with the relationship that comes from loving obedience. "And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart" (Jeremiah 24:7; 30:22 ). With all that He is, He gives His whole heart to those who give Him their whole heart! It is more than loving Him, it is becoming totally His in all things .

When we read and understand the complete proclamation of the Word of God, we will no longer have wrong expectations regarding the Messiah. Interacting with His Word creates positive communion with Him, leaving no doubt that we are not to seek unchristian compromise or unholy alliances as we belong to His family - not the enemy's. We don't use one another for our own purposes, but strive to seek only the glory of God! This is not for one moment in time, but it is a matter of our whole life. Christ tells us, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment" (Mark 12:30), (Luke 10:27), (Matthew 32:27), (Joshua 22:5) and Deuteronomy 10:12).

One question remains: Are we giving to God what is God's or are we giving it to the world; focusing our mind, heart, and strength on compromising and making alliances with things which direct our focus away from our God?