Some words should wake every sense. The command by Paul and Peter to the saints to respect the government goes all the way back to Yeshua. For Jews to recommend a position relative to those in authority has to be most thoughtful. Honouring the rulers of the day has always been problematic, unless one wants to prove that honouring the king with cooperation is either a blasphemous relationship between equals or an admission that the state can command where God in Christ is silent or demand that we reject what God has said, even temporarily.

Let us make sure we are not playing the political card. We are not servants of the state or the prime minister, and we, as churches, are not allowed to enter into partnership with the state. We are servants of God. We have official duties in the household or family of God. The way some people deny their own partiality to secular authority is childish and cowardly. It is not as if we do not have examples of Yeshua’s affirmation of secular power.

Not a word to the local king

When he was in custody of the state Yeshua responded to the questions posed by Roman governer, Pilate, but had nothing to say to Herod.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. Luke. 23:8, So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. Luke. 23:9,

Luke 23: Herod meets Yeshua

There will come a time when the wholeness of our relationship with the state will suffer because of those actions of the state which inevitably will turn to oppress believers in the Living God. The world, including its government, will hate Yeshua’s followers. In the meantime, we give Caesar what is his.