Jesus and Politics

Matthew 22:1–22

(Note: Unfortunately, our recorder stopped recording right before the sermon’s conclusion. The sermon’s conclusion—in manuscript form—can be found below the sermon text.)

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.” ’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 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. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 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.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

Conclusion

Friends, as we turn our attention to the Lord’s Table, I have a question for you—what ought you leave with this morning? What do you do with a treason filled wedding feast and a story about taxes? Is there anything for you to hang your hat on?

What ties our passage together this morning? What thread is woven between these parts? The theme of politics and kingship. In the parable, we are reminded that we are invited to a divine wedding feast. Yes—that even includes us nobodies in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. We have received the invite. Are we preparing ourselves for this wedding feast?! Are we following this divine king loyally or is treason in our hearts? 

Likewise, in the story of the tax, we must ask, are we giving back to God what belongs to God? Friends, that is you! And every part of you and your life! As the Psalmist reminds us, “He has made us, and we are his.” Do you live with that in mind?

In both parts of our passage, Jesus reminds us of God’s divine rule over all things. But he doesn’t remind us as a power play. He reminds us in the form of an invitation. And not a generic invitation, but an invitation to a wedding feast! We are invited to put on these royal robes of righteousness, to give ourselves fully to God, and come be in his presence. We are called to festive fellowship with the God of the universe. 

And it’s at the Lord’s Table that we experience that fellowship today, in preparation for deeper fellowship ahead. 

As we come to this table, we don’t do so as perfect people. We don’t come as deserving recipients. We come to this table as humble participants in the gift of life and fellowship through Jesus Christ. Yes, we are called to put on righteousness. But we are reminded that Christ is also beautifying his people. Christ is the one who washes us. Christ is the one who is presenting the church in splendor. Christ is the one who makes this participation and fellowship possible. There’s a mystery here that’s not easy to dissect—we wear both the righteousness of Christ which is pure gift, and as we live in him, we put on robes of righteousness. 

Friends, Christ our King has paved a way to this table—to this wedding feast—through his cross and resurrection. So let us come forward with thanksgiving and celebratory hearts. Through him, we have peace and fellowship with one another and with our God! This is good news! Let us eat, drink, be merry, and live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven!