Sip #1 – Read Chapter 12 of Mark in the New Century Version (NCV)
Sip #2 – Read my big takeaway from the day
Sip #3 – Add comments/thoughts/questions in the Comments Box (bottom of page). NOT REQUIRED
Sip #4 – Re-read any parts of Chapter 12 that impacted you
Sip #5 – Come back tomorrow as we read Chapter 13 of Mark

Good morning one and all! I’m calling this weekend “The Writing Summit,” as I have my daily KafePK post  and two sermons to write. Because it’s a 5-Sunday month, the church that I usually preach/teach at the last Sunday of the month asked me to do a back-to-back (the 23rd & 30th). So, along with getting a 12-mile training run in, I’m going to be doing quite a bit of writing in the next 48 hours. The pour-over pot is ready, so let the summit begin! 

Today is the Ides of March…  If you always wondered where the term came from, well, it became renowned as the date on which Roman dictator Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC and was further immortalized in the tragedy Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. In the play, a soothsayer warns Caesar to “beware the Ides of March.” 

Speaking of Caesar, in Mark, Chapter 12, Jesus mentions “Caesar.” It’s not Julius, but, rather, Tiberius. They were not related. Take a good look at verses 13-17… “Later, the Jewish leaders sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to trap him in saying something wrong. They came to him and said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. You are not afraid of what other people think about you, because you pay no attention to who they are. And you teach the truth about God’s way. Tell us: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or not?’

But knowing what these men were really trying to do, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you trying to trap me? Bring me a coin to look at.’ They gave Jesus a coin, and he asked, ‘Whose image and name are on the coin?’

They answered, ‘Caesar’s.’

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.’ The men were amazed at what Jesus said.”

It’s always worth remembering that Jesus was God in human flesh, and it’s always in moments like these where it’s obvious. Has there ever been anyone who knew how to win a “debate” like Jesus? Whether it was wrestling the scriptures or navigating the many verbal traps the Pharisees and religious elite were constantly setting, he NEVER lost. He always knew the right words.

The only problem is… sometimes we don’t slow down enough when we are reading to appreciate all the words.

Here, let me hand you this coin… On the denarius Jesus was holding, there was a head of Tiberius, the reigning Roman Emperor. Around his head was written the abbreviation for “Tiberius Caesar, the Divine Augustus.” On the back was the title “Pontifex Maximus,” declaring that Caesar was the high priest of the Roman Empire. Those images and sayings represent the government. Jesus is speaking to the Jews and to us when he says, “You are a citizen of this world and of this culture. There are some benefits from the government that you may get. Give to the government what is the government, without compromising me…”

He does not end there, though. Let me interject something here that I believe many of us may miss sometimes. Our human nature does not allow us to live out 100% grace and 100% truth. We can strive for it, and we should, but… we simply are unable to do it. Our sin nature is a stumbling block. Jesus/God/Spirit IS 100% grace and 100% truth… it’s not just words, it’s their very nature. Here is what I mean. Consider the ending of the account of the lady caught in the act of adultery, where the religious leaders and others were wanting to stone the lady to death…

“‘…let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.  Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’

‘No, Lord,’ she said.

And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.’”

Neither do I condemn you = grace
Go and sin no more = truth

Only God can take a situation that is legally black and white… and cover it in grace.

In Jesus’ response to the coin…

Give to the government what is the government’s = truth
Give to God what is God’s = grace

When we give back to the Lord what is His with a cheerful and exactant heart, there is no greater act of grace. Instead of just ordering us to give to the world, Jesus/God says, “Give them what is theirs, but I am also going to provide for you the grace to give back to Me. You will always have MORE than enough. Trust me.

Bottom line… Some of us can have an unhealthy hatred of the government. I am not saying that we should bow down to the government. It’s obvious that we shouldn’t. God is the One True God and deserves our all. However, here it is plain that Jesus/God is saying we should adhere to government guides, structures, and laws when they do not compromise what God expects from us. AND, do the SAME with God’s guidance, structures, and teachings. It’s critical we see both.

When we get consumed by our disgruntlement with political tenets and personalities, we need to be careful that we don’t drift into stumbling block territory. We shouldn’t embrace government, but we shouldn’t rage against the government to the point of “going too far” either. When we do we are suggesting that there is ONLY truth and no grace. 

Let me place one caveat. If you are CALLED to be in a political office, as a leader of and voice for the citizens of a city, state, or nation, there will be different principles that you will be fighting for. Those “battles” still should be handled without sinning, but with a holy discontent that God has placed inside you. 

As we close, I want to share one more example of what 100% truth and 100% grace can look like…

Prison can often be seen as a place devoid of hope and redemption, a place where individuals are trapped in their past mistakes. However, Justin Chung’s story is a testament to the transformative power of prison ministry in restoring faith and bringing about personal growth.

Justin spent 14 years behind bars before his release. Growing up, he had a strong foundation in the church but succumbed to the pressures of peer influence and gang culture. Wanting to fit in and be accepted, he made choices that led him down a destructive path, ultimately resulting in a gang-related shooting and his imprisonment at California’s Centinela Prison Level Three.

It was during his time in prison that Justin encountered Jesus and heard the gospel message. Reflecting on the mercy of God and the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, seeds of hope were planted in his heart. Despite facing an 82-year sentence, Justin cried out to God, repenting for the harm he had caused and seeking forgiveness.

His newfound faith provided him with a sense of peace, hope, and joy, with the assurance that there was a greater purpose beyond his confinement. As laws began to change for youth offenders, Justin’s sentence was reduced to 25 years to life. However, he continued to pray for mercy, and through Governor Jerry Brown’s intervention, his sentence was further commuted to 15 years to life.

His community of brothers in prison held him accountable, ensuring he studied, read his Bible, and memorized verses. Despite the darkness and chaos of prison life, there was a sense of community rooted in love for God.

The truth of Justin’s situation was the consequence of prison time for bad decisions. The grace that God bestowed was in the difference he made and is making today… and for eternity.

Give to the world what the world requires, without compromising God’s standards. Give to God what He requires, with love, passion, and an expectant heart. Both are part of the equation, friends.