Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. - Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees were strong Jewish nationalists, and the Herodians, as the name implies, were followers of King Herod, the ruler who was placed in power by the Romans. The Herodians were collaborators, people who sold out their own nation to their enemies. The Pharisees had great contempt for the Herodians, but even with that, they were willing to cooperate with them against Jesus.  So they devised a “perfect” trap. If Jesus said no to paying taxes to Caesar, the Herodians would have him arrested and executed for treason. If he said yes, the Pharisees hoped to turn the people against him by showing that he wasn't loyal to his own nation.
 
Jesus' answer stopped the Herodians and the Pharisees' disciples in their tracks. His words were direct; right to the point: The coin's got Caesar's picture – let him have it.  Jesus was underscoring that God establishes earthly governments.  The Bible says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1-2).  God wants to bless people on earth through earthly governments by maintenance of law and order in society.  God’s will is that governments exert their authority to keep the peace – especially so that his saving word can be spread to all nations.  So the Bible teaches, “You pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing” (Romans 13:6).
 
Jesus went on to say, “Give to God what is God's.”  As followers of Jesus, we are not only citizens under an earthly government, but we are also citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom.  Therefore, on the one hand, we will dutifully obey the governing authorities God has placed over us, while on the other hand, we will live to serve Jesus in great appreciation for his boundless love by which we are saved from the curse of sin and blessed with eternal life. 

Prayer (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal – 469):
Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise. 

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