HONOR
Matthew 22:15–22; 34–40
Matthew 22 begins with another parable shared by Jesus. He compares the Kingdom of God with a wedding feast.
The king sends out his servants to invite the guests to come and dine and celebrate. Everything is ready. However, when the servants go out, they’re mistreated and killed.
The enraged king sends out his army to avenge the deaths and burn their cities. He then tells his servants to go out into the streets and invite anyone and everyone to the wedding feast. The crowd shows up, but one of the guests isn’t dressed appropriately. He is cast out of the celebration.
The meaning is clear. Jesus had come first to the Jews, but they were rejecting Him. The gospel would then be shared with the Gentiles as well as the Jews.
Government Authority (15–22)
By this time, the Pharisees and the Herodians were looking to trap Jesus and destroy Him. The Herodians were a Jewish political faction that supported the Romans. They were aligned with the Pharisees in their hatred for Jesus.
They asked if it was right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar. Jesus asked to see a coin and asked them whose image was on the coin. It was Caesar’s image. Jesus said, “Give then to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
Biblically, the chief role of government is to protect the citizens and punish evildoers. In our polarized political situation in 2026, we are challenged by the words of Jesus. We are to give honor to our government concerning the things in their purview. Unfortunately, there are many decisions that the government hands down that run counter to biblical values and principles.
While we are commanded to pray for those in authority over us, we are also called to be salt and light. What is the right balance for followers of Jesus in relation to the government?
God’s Authority (34–40)
Following that encounter, a Sadducee questioned Jesus about marriage and resurrection. Sadducees didn’t even believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus rebuked him for his lack of knowledge of Scripture.
There will be no marriage in the resurrection. We will all be like the angels in that regard. Jesus said, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
Seeing that Jesus answered the Sadducees, a Pharisee tested Jesus with the question, “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” Jesus responded by stating the Shema, a confession that was recited twice each day.
Quoting this, Jesus said to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. He said these two commands cover all of the law and prophets.
It’s no wonder that people were amazed by His teaching. In those two sentences, Jesus covers the vertical and horizontal dimensions of love.
What’s at the heart of this command to love other people? What does this demonstrate?
We are to honor God exclusively as the one true God and love our neighbors as ourselves.
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
