Gospel Passages That Touch on Political Issues II

The next passage to consider is Matthew 17:24-27. The issue here specifically is a religious tax. What does this passage say about meeting civic responsibilities? Actually, nothing. The point is that followers of Jesus, because of their relationship to God, are free from onerous obligations imposed by the religious community. Yet Jesus is willing to comply—after a fashion—with the requirement so as not to offend. Does this teach us anything about our relationship to society at large? Perhaps that if we are asked (even required) by the society in which we live to perform a task or fulfill an "obligation" that does not contradict God's word or violate a biblically-informed conscience that we should comply so as not to give offense. The cross--and the gospel that proclaims it--carries sufficient offense that we need not add to it.