April 12th, 2026: Belonging to God | Mark 12:17, Romans 13:1, 6-8, 1 Peter 2:13-17

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1).

Today’s lesson was a hard lesson to write. To be honest, when I first read the scripture passages presented, I simply stared at each text. We live today in a world that is marked by division, rebellion, and loud, angry voices all around us. The twenty-four-seven news feeds and social media only strengthen our ideas and inflame our defiant human nature.  How did we get into this mess!

For some perspective on my struggle with this lesson, I grew up in the 70’s.  In that generation, we questioned every voice of authority.  We prided ourselves on independent thought and proudly questioned the previous generation’s old and antiquated ideas.  Right and wrong became a bit of a blurred line as we battled for change and took nothing at face value.  Whether I want to admit it or not, that had a big effect on how I live my life today.  I don’t trust authority very easily.  I am independently minded, and I think I am fairly intelligent. Intelligent enough to make my own decisions without being told what to do.  I have political burnout.  I refuse to listen to the nonstop daily news. I believe very little of what I see on social media. I worry about the children and grandchildren and the world they are inheriting now from us - the generation of the 70’s.  Maybe you feel the same?

The lesson today is about belonging to God. How are we to think?  How are we to act? Who has the right and legitimate authority to require obedience and give us rules to follow?  Who is ultimately in control of us and the world we live in even though it is we ourselves, who have created the mess around us?  Today we look at three separate passages of scripture.  Hopefully, together, we begin to see things in our lives that are buried deep (even unknowingly) that are affecting our everyday activity.  Things that may need cleaned up or replaced as the Word of God opens our hearts with regard to authority. 

Mark 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. And they marvelled at him.

Picture this.  Jesus is teaching, and Herodians and Pharisees attend.  The Herodians represent the government or political concerns of the day. The Pharisees represent the Jewish religious leadership most anxious to throw off the governance of Rome.  Both have a vested interest in what Jesus is teaching. In this particular session, they are teamed up to ask a question and catch Jesus up, finding fault in His teaching. They are certain that one or the other of them will be angry at the answer. 

Notice the flattery they lay on thick as they begin.  Jesus knows they don’t mean any of it.  The question they pose: And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. (Mark 12: 14-16).

To their surprise, there is no delay in Jesus’ answer.  His answer is to give Caesar what belongs to him and give to God the things that are God’s.  Not at all what they were expecting.  Not at all what we think today. What is he saying?  

Let’s go back to some examples in the Old Testament. God worked through kings and leaders to both reward and discipline his people. God used Pharaoh’s hard heart to show the fledgling nation of Israel, the great power and authority of their God over all the other man-made gods of Egypt (which were no gods).  The prophets tell us that the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions were directed by God as punishment for a chosen people that had forgotten their one true God and his commandments. Daniel reveals to us that … he (God) changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:(Daniel 2:21).  Let’s not forget God used King Cyrus to send the Jewish captives back to Jerusalem to rebuild their homes, cities, and temple. 

The authority given to leaders, political, social, or religious are ordained by God. Jesus told Pontius Pilate, And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (John 19:9-11).

Romans 13:1, 6-8

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The lesson here and in Jesus’ answer to the Herodians and Pharisees is that the ultimate authority is God.  Believers know this.  Those without a personal relationship to Jesus may not know.  For the believer and the unbeliever it is easy to forget that God also instituted human government.  Beginning with Noah God began to give mankind laws/rules for how to live. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6), Through Moses, God gave even greater laws ( 10 Commandments/Leviticus) to ensure order and not chaos, a right and wrong if you will, of how a good  and healthy society should operate. 

For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

So how do the unbelievers learn that God is the ultimate authority, that God had a part from the very beginning in how society should operate? That he sets up leaders and removes leaders?  It may be a little scary to realize but  the lost are watching how the church is living their lives everyday. Paul writes, pay your taxes, pay your debts, honor those in authority. Many commentators feel Paul’s phrase “owe no man anything” means not to get into debt.  While that is a very good idea, it also means that if you are in debt, pay it as you promised to do. Followers of Christ represent Him.

 Paul says to love one another.  One might suggest that today times are a little different; maybe it’s a little harder today than at the time of the first century church. Not so.  It is important to note that Paul is writing this letter to the Romans during the reign of Nero.  Think about that!  Nero, the last Caesar.  Known as having a monster rule and killing his first wife and mother.  He was extravagant, tyrannical,  and elevated conflict to create a war with the Jews and tortured Christians for sport. He is also the man responsible for Paul’s death.    

Jesus said to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar.  Paul said to be honest, despite the things going on around you, obey those in authority. Be honest in your activities. Show love, even when it is hard.  These are the things that will draw a non believer in to the family of God. 

1 Peter 2: 13-17

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Peter goes one step further.  He had been beaten and imprisoned for sharing the gospel.  In the book of Acts there is a healing that the religious leaders are struggling to account for and that they feel the news of the same will draw people to Jesus.  Their admonition: And they called them (Peter and John), and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts4:18-20).

There is authority on our part, to know if a law goes against the word of God. Knowing it does not, however, give us the right to be lawless or act contrary to Christ. Peter submitted to the ordinance but advised that he would do as he felt God led him.  Peter writes here that we are not to use our freedom in Christ to be arrogant,  mean, or depraved.  We do not answer wickedness with evil.  He goes on to say,  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1Peter 2: 19-20).  And there it is, the ultimate answer.  Jesus is the example.  

We are not greater than our master.  Whether we want to be told or not, scripture does tell us what to do.  We can’t ignore the teaching just because we don’t like it. Pray for your government and leaders (boss, pastor, foreman, supervisor, senator) in love. Stand firm on the things that the word of God calls sin; doing so in love.  

We know the truth.  We are the calm and reassurance that God, the creator of all things, is still in control. Our lives reflect our respect for authority of all kinds. How well do you represent what you say that you are? God is watching. The world is watching.

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!