Matthew 22:21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Over and over again I have warned myself not to make any of these posts about politics.

Jesus said a few things about politics, but the lesson was not political. Imagine trying to deliver a message of freedom to a people who are slaves. The slave will seek to be set free from the bondage imposed by mankind. Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin.

For a people and place in that time Rome was their focus, not sin. The message Jesus delivered is timeless, meaning that His message is just as pertinent in today’s political arena. His message was for all people, of every tribe, tongue and nation, no matter what kind of rule is applied politically or religiously.

Isaiah 56:11 The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.

The title to this section of Isaiah 56 is “Israel’s Irresponsible Leaders”. So the Word of God does address politics from a point of view of dedication and responsibility and why politics go wrong.

Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Remember Joseph’s brothers cast him into a pit because they would not accept that Joseph should rule over them. Joseph in his righteous obedience to God ended up ruling over them despite their efforts. That isn’t politics, that is faithfulness to God.

1 Samuel 12:14 If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.

So the bible does speak to politics and that same message has resounded throughout history.

Fear the Lord, serve Him, obey His voice and do not rebel. Then it will be well.

That is a timeless message.

Luke 20:46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

A coma only occurs in translations into other languages. It is placed there to give us pause.

Luke 20:47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

It separates appearances from behavior. Wanting to look good is not the same as doing good. Along with the bad deed comes one more warning, the pretense of prayer. Saying what sounds good does not make it the Word of God.

Pretense in appearance or speech is self serving. One is intended to present oneself as something it is not, the other is to influence the thinking of others.

Mark 6:56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

John the Baptist wore camel skins, a beast of burden, carrying the message of repentance. There is no description of what Jesus wore, only what it meant to those who by faith touched it. Whatever He wore were robes of righteousness, no matter the cost or material.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Jesus is that bridegroom.

John 3:29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Those were the words of John the Baptist. What message do we bring?