The Great Divide 归给上帝

1 view

Skip to first unread message

Dexu Xia

unread,

Nov 2, 2024, 10:32:53 PM11/2/24

to dmcf_dailybread

Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Mark 12:17

In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”

The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:14–15)? If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.

Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.

Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the one who is the Truth. By: Tim Gustafson

What divisive issues trouble you? How might keeping your eyes on Jesus help guide your conversations today?

Father, I need Your wisdom and guidance for all my interactions

凯撒的物当归给凯撒，上帝的物当归给上帝。—马可福音12章17节

在经典的连环漫画《花生》中，奈勒斯因为相信有南瓜大王而被朋友责备。他沮丧地走开，说：“我学会永远不要跟别人讨论三件事，那就是宗教、政治和南瓜大王！”

南瓜大王只存在于奈勒斯的脑海中，但其他两个议题却很真实，甚至会造成国家分裂、家庭破裂、朋友决裂。在耶稣的时代也出现过这样的状况：法利赛人非常虔诚并严格遵守旧约律法，而希律党的人则比较偏向政治。这两个群体都期盼犹太人可以早日脱离罗马帝国的压迫，但耶稣似乎与他们的目标并不一致。因此，他们向耶稣提出带有政治色彩的问题：我们该不该纳税给凯撒呢？（马可福音12章14-15节）如果耶稣说可以，百姓就会憎恨祂；如果祂说不可以，罗马人就能以叛乱的罪名逮捕祂。

耶稣随即要人拿一枚银钱给祂看，并且问道：“这是谁的像，谁的名号？”（16节，新译本）人人都知道那是凯撒的肖像。耶稣的回应至今依然发出回荡：“凯撒的物当归给凯撒，上帝的物当归给上帝”（17节）。耶稣清楚知道自己的优先次序，从而避开了他们设下的圈套。

耶稣来是要遵行天父的旨意。当我们跟随耶稣的带领，便能以寻求上帝和祂的国度为优先，不再专注于一切纷争，而是将焦点转向耶稣，唯有祂才是真理。作者： 葛庭墨

有哪些造成分裂的问题困扰着你？
今天，注目于耶稣如何引导你与他人的谈话？