I want to pause and linger over the Gospel lesson for today. A cursory reading would lead us believe it’s simple story. It may be simple but it’s not simplistic.

The passage begins with an editorial remark recorded in verse 15, “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. ¹⁶And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians.”

The Pharisees were “devout” Jews. They were sworn enemies of the Romans. They were insurgents who vigorously opposed Roman rule.

The Herodians, on the other hand, were followers of the Roman stooge, King Herod. They were members of a wealthy and privileged class of people who gladly collaborated with the Romans. In exchange they received status and power in society.

I find it remarkable that the Pharisees and the Herodians join forces in opposition to Christ. The Pharisees hated the Herodians and the Herodians hated the Pharisees. And both the Pharisees and the Herodians hated Christ. So, in this story there’s an alliance to entrap our Lord.

Their plan is to entrap Him with a difficult question. “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (Mt 22:17) At face value, this looks like an innocent inquiry. However, the question creates a real dilemma. If Christ says, “No, you shouldn’t pay taxes,” He could be tried by the Roman government for sedition. If He says, “Yes, pay taxes to Rome,” He would affirm the legitimacy of Caesar’s authority, which would send the Pharisees into a writhing fit of apoplexy.

But note what our Lord does. He asks for a coin. Jesus takes it in his hand and looks at it. There it was – the image of Caesar and the ascription of deity. Then He says, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s (Mt. 22:21).” The accusers are stunned. They’re so bamboozled they can’t even reply. But what was it that left them speechless?

The people living under the Roman government enjoyed special privileges. The Roman navy cleared the Mediterranean Sea of pirates. Roman roads made transportation and communication easier. Roman law created an international economy and established a measure of peace.

The Pax Romana was in its early stages in Jesus’ day and the peace offered the Jews and Christians many economic opportunities. Generally, people prospered under Roman rule. And Jesus is saying, “If you enjoy Caesar’s benefits you should pay Caesar’s taxes.”

Now I want us to pause for a moment and consider a contemporary problem. When dealing with this text, many Christians stop right there. They say, “Give the state its due.” Period. End of Bible lesson. But there’s much more couched away in this story.

In Jesus’ response to the Pharisee, he used the Greek word “apodote” which means to “render” or “give back.” The coin bore Caesar’s image so it was to be given back to him in taxes.

This is a covenantal principle that runs throughout the Scriptures – A person has a right to expect a return on what belongs to Him. We affirm this each Sunday when we say, “All things come of Thee O Lord. And of Thine own have we given Thee.” In other words, whatever God owns must be returned, surrendered, or given back to Him.

I want you to see how this is spelled out in II Corinthians 1:21-22, “Now it is God who makes both us and you to stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²²set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

The first thing I want you to mark in this verse is that God has set a seal on us. What does a seal do? It’s a label that affirms or confirms identity. A seal verifies. It confirms or authenticates the nature of something. The image of Caesar confirmed that coin belonged to Caesar. God’s seal or label confirms we belong to Him.

But what kind of seal is this? It’s a seal of ownership, placed on us by God to confirm our identity. God says, “You belong to Me.”

Now a question we must answer is this: When was God’s seal of ownership placed on us? As Anglican Christians, we believe God laid claim to us at our baptism. He established His rights as owner when we were baptized into the name of the Holy Trinity. Our salvation does not depend on an emotional experience we may or may not have had. Our salvation does not hinge on a decision we make. Our salvation is something that’s done to us at the baptismal font. Note what the Book of Common Prayer says.

WE yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased thee to regenerate this Child (or this thy Servant) with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him for thine own Child, and to incorporate him into thy holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant, that he, being dead unto sin, may live unto righteousness, and being buried with Christ in his death, may also be partaker of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church, he may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

WE receive this Child (or person) into the congregation of Christ’s flock; and do *sign him with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner, against sin, the world, and the devil; and to continue Christ’s faithful soldier and servant unto his life’s end. Amen.

Then shall the Minister say,

SEEING now, dearly beloved brethren, that this Child (or this Person) is regenerate, and grafted into the body of Christ’s Church, let us give thanks unto Almighty God for these benefits; and with one accord make our prayers unto him, that this Child (or this Person) may lead the rest of his life according to this beginning.

Many people believe baptism is something we do. But the Church has taught from day one that baptism is something that happens to us. It is a monergistic work of God. We are passive recipients of His covenantal blessing. What we’re affirming is what the Church has always affirmed: Baptism is God’s seal of ownership. And at our baptism, He sent His Spirit to live in us.

Now what does all of this have to do with the gospel lesson? Look again at II Corinthians 1:21-22. “Now it is God who makes both us and you to stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²²set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

The Greek word for “deposit” is “arharbon.” It was used in the first century to refer to earnest money which was given as a pledge or down payment, ensuring the full amount would subsequently be paid.

The same word is used by St. Paul in Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.“

Baptism is a covenantal rite. We enter into covenant with God by passing through the waters of baptism. God in turn, gives us His Spirit as a promise, or down payment assuring us that He will do for us all that He has promised to do for His covenantal people.

So, when you’re discouraged and wondering if He knows what you’re enduring, remember your baptism. When you pray for your children, call on God to do what He promised to do at their baptism. I encourage all of you to take some time this week and read through the Baptismal Office in the Book of Common Prayer. What you’ll find is that God is a covenant keeping God Who will not forsake His people.

In I Thessalonians 5:25, St. Paul reminds us of our Lord’s faithfulness when he writes, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” In Isaiah 59:1, the prophet reminds us, “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” May our Lord inspire us with hope as we remember our baptism and partake of His body and blood. Amen.