Today's Daily Lesson is from Matthew 22 verses 16 and 17:
16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
These words from Jesus are often remembered on the Fourth of July and other civic occasions. What is not always remembered is that they spoken after some men came to test him - trying to pit Jesus' commitment to his religious convictions against his obligations to the ruling government. "Is it lawful (meaning does it keep with Jewish religious law) to pay taxes to Caesar?" They put Jesus between a rock and a hard place, trying to get dirt on him by either making him out to be treacherous to the religion or treasonous against the government.
There's a lot of debate right now about church and state. The issues are complex and difficult with sincere people of faith and goodwill on both sides. So be weary of taking part in pitting one side too strongly over another. That's just what they tried to do to Jesus.
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