MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
March 4, 2026
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
GOD’S PURPOSE IN NATIONS (WHY JESUS SANCTIONED ‘PAYING TAXES TO ROME’ IN HIS TIME Part 2)
See Matt. 22: 15-22; Mark 12: 13-17; Luke 20. 20-26, KJV
Now follows extract from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White providing spiritual clarity on the subject (all emphasis provided):
BACKGROUND. In Christ’s time the Pharisees formed one of three groups in the Sanhedrin; the other two being the Sadducees and Herodians. Historically, in the “religious spectrum” of New Testament Judaism, the Sadducees were the “liberals,” and the Pharisees, the “conservatives,” who stressed ‘separation from the world and its defilements’ through ‘righteousness by their works.’ The least of the three, the Herodians, were thought to be ‘Herod’s soldiers,’ according to Jerome; ‘court officials of Herod,’ by other commentators.
Now follows an enlightening extract, providing spiritual and practical clarity for all, from the inspired pen of Ellen G. White:
“The Pharisees and Herodians had been bitter enemies, but they were now in enmity to Christ. The Pharisees had ever chafed under the exaction of tribute by the Romans. The payment of tribute (civil taxes) they held to be CONTRARY TO THE LAW OF GOD.
“Now they saw an opportunity to lay a snare for Jesus. Their spies came to Him, and with apparent sincerity, as though desiring to know their DUTY, said, ‘Master, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it LAWFUL for us to GIVE TRIBUTE TO CAESAR, or no?’
“The words, ‘We know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly,’ had they been SINCERE, would have been a wonderful admission. But they were spoken to DECEIVE; nevertheless their testimony was true. The Pharisees did know that Christ said and taught rightly [all in truth and righteousness].
“Those who put the question to Jesus THOUGHT they had sufficiently disguised their PURPOSE; but Jesus read their hearts as an OPEN BOOK, and sounded their HYPOCRISY. ‘Why tempt ye Me?’ He said; thus giving them a SIGN they had not asked, by showing that He read their HIDDEN purpose.
“They were still more confused when He added, ‘Show Me a penny.’ They brought it, and He asked them, ‘Whose image and superscription has it?’ They answered and said, Caesar’s.’ Pointing to the INSCRIPTION ON THE COIN, Jesus said, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God that things that are God’s.’
“The spies had EXPECTED Jesus to answer their question directly, IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. If He should say, It is UNLAWFUL to give tribute to Caesar, He would be reported to the ROMAN authorities and arrested for inciting REBELLION.
“But in case He would pronounce it LAWFUL to pay the tribute, they designed to accuse Him before the PEOPLE as opposing the law of God. . . .
“Christ’s reply was no evasion, but a candid answer to the question. Holding in His hand the Roman coin, upon which were stamped the name and image of Caesar, He declared that since they were LIVING UNDER THE PROTECTION of the Roman power, they SHOULD RENDER to that power the support it claimed, SO LONG AS THIS DID NOT CONFLICT WITH A HIGHER DUTY. But while PEACEABLY SUBJECT to the laws of the land [or nation], they should at all times give their FIRST ALLEGIANCE TO GOD.
“The Savior’s words, ‘RENDER. . . UNTO GOD the things that are God’s,’ were a SEVERE REBUKE TO THE INTRIGUING JEWS. [Here’s how and why:]. “Had they faithfully fulfilled their obligations to God, they would NOT HAVE BECOME A BROKEN NATION, SUBJECT TO A FOREIGN [and malign] POWER. No Roman ensign would have waved over JERUSALEM, no Roman sentinel would have stood at her gates, no ROMAN GOVERNOR would have ruled within her walls. THE JEWISH NATION WAS THEN PAYING THE PENALTY OF ITS APOSTASY FROM GOD.
“When the Pharisees heard Christ’s answer, ‘they marveled, and left Him, and went their way.’ He had rebuked their HYPOCRISY AND PRESUMPTION, and in doing this, He had stated A GREAT PRINCIPLE, A PRINCIPLE THAT CLEARLY DEFINES THE LIMITS OF MAN’S DUTY TO THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND HIS DUTY TO GOD.
“In many minds a vexed question had been settled. Ever after they had held to the right principle. [Righteousness is also ‘right doing]. And although many went away DISSATISFIED, they saw that the PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING the question had been CLEARLY set forth, and they marveled at Christ’s FAR-SEEING discernment [down to our very time, up to the stupendous culmination of Bible’s prophecies regarding the kingdoms and nations of the fallen earth].” From The Desire of Ages, April,1950 ed., Pacific Press Publishing Asso., pp. 601-3.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.