Jesus

22. JESUS PRACTICED FORGIVENESS BY NOT GETTING INVOLVED WITH POLITICS OR RESISTING HIS ABUSERS

Jews had an awkward and tenuous relationship with the Roman government that occupied their homeland. They could follow their own religious rules but were otherwise forced to follow Rome’s civil rules which included paying taxes. This is the social/political/religious context in which Jews awaited a savior who would free them from the tyranny of Rome’s occupation of Judea. But dealing with government was not Jesus’ assignment. His understanding of Messianic Prophecy was not the same as Jewish religious leaders. He was not at all concerned about Rome. The only authority he was concerned about was God’s rule in the hearts of men.

The Apostle Paul was a true prophet like Jesus who spoke for God. In Romans 13:1-7, God gave very clear instructions about how New Covenant disciples should relate to government authorities:

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of 
God; and they who  have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

 

The principles in Paul’s writing agree fully with these scriptures about obedience to authorities of all kinds:

Titus 3:1
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:12-14 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Deuteronomy 17:12
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

1 Peter 2:17
Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
 
Ezra 7:26 Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
 

Ecclesiastes 8:1-5 Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance. 2 Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to leave the king’s presence. Do not stand up for a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 Since a king’s word is supreme, who can say to him, “What are you doing?” 5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

Matthew 26:47-53  While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

Scripture always teaches people to be respectful of and obedient to civil leaders and authorities of all kinds — even those who are unjust and unwise in their decisions. This attitude will always be noticed and credit for obedience will accrue to God as well as the one who obeys. Everything Jesus did showed respect for civil leaders. His mission was not to lead a rebellion.
 
Since Jesus did not fit the model of the messiah that the Jews wanted and expected, it is not surprising that inquiries by Jewish religious leaders included questions about taxes and submission to established government authority.

In three different scriptures (Matthew 22:17-21, Mark 12:14-17, Luke 20:19-26) Jesus affirmed that it was right to pay taxes:

Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
 
In Matthew 17:24-27 he affirmed that paying taxes was the right thing to do:
 
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

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In the story of Jesus’ interrogations after he was arrested, we see that Jesus did not resist government authority after he was brought to Rome’s political leaders by Jewish religious leaders.

Mark 15:1-5: Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.
2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “You have said so,” Jesus replied.
3 The chief priests accused him of many things.
4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.
 
Matthew 27:14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.
 
Matthew 27:12 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.

Mark 14:61 But Jesus remained silent and made no reply. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

Mark 15:5 But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply.

Luke 23:9 Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.

 
In the following memorable prophecy, the messiah is characterized as someone who is silent in the face of accusations and abuse.
 
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

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The Jews would have been more receptive to Jesus if he would have started a political revolt against Rome like others before and after him had done without success. But he was sent by God to deliver people from the sin of religion — not from political oppression. He was sent by God to establish God’s kingdom in the hearts of men — not a political kingdom. He did not need to defend his personal interests or his bodily safety to be faithful to that assignment. What he needed to do was demonstrate active forgiveness for his abusers by being silent in the face of their abuse.

It is not surprising, then to find that Hebrews 13:17 affirms Jesus’ attitude about submission to government authorities: 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

It is also not surprising therefore that the Apostle Paul willingly submitted himself to government authority. Submission to abusive authorities is evidence that the abusers have been forgiven. 

STUDY TIP: See Attitudes and Behaviors in Religion and Politics and Right Attitudes Toward Government and People in Authority for more about relationships with government. authorities. 

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