God and Caesar

Good morning all,
Our reading this morning continues Paul's travels and his proclamation in the face of resistance. Yesterday we saw Paul refer to his status as a citizen, basically calling Rome in on his side of the debate. Here we see the Jewish leaders try to use the Roman authorities against the apostles. In the same way the Jerusalem leadership argued to Pilate that Jesus was a threat to Rome because he claimed to be a king, the leaders in Thessalonica tell the city officials that the Christians are a threat to Rome because they follow a different king.

Of course, in some ways that's a legitimate accusation. Christians do follow a king named Jesus and that means that no other power can control us completely. Christianity has pretty consistently taught that we ought to be good citizens wherever we live, obeying the laws and supporting the government. At the same time any time a government or leader tries to take God's place we are called to stand for God. There can be both a Lord of heaven and earth and a Roman Emperor and Christians can obey both. But if the emperor claims our allegiance as god or orders us to do what God leads us to believe is wrong, we have to refuse because ultimately for us there is only one Lord.

God bless,
Sam


Acts 17:1-9
17:1After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, 3explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” 4Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar.

While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. 6When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, 7and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.” 8The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, 9and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.