CHRIST'S ANSWER TO CAVILERS.
WHEN Christ was personally teaching on earth, the Pharisees, and others who wanted to be thought wise, often tried to puzzle Him with hard questions. At one time two prominent classes—the Pharisees and Herodians, two classes that ordinarily had no sympathy with each other—united in an effort to "catch Him in His words." They sent their learned representatives, who introduced their mission by flattery. They said, "Master, we know that Thou art true, and carest for no man; for Thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth." After this clever bit of eulogy, the like of which would have captivated any one of them, they asked a very cunningly-devised question: "Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not? shall we give or shall we not give?" These artful critics desired and expected that Christ would answer, Yes, or No; and from His answer either way they thought to break His influence. The Jews were especially grieved and chafed because of the tributary tax to the Roman Government; therefore, if Jesus said the tax was lawful, the Jews would not be convinced that He was the Messiah who they supposed would relieve them of that yoke. On the other hand, if He should say the tax was not lawful, they would charge Him before the Roman authorities with teaching treason to the government. But Jesus, "knowing their hypocrisy," told them to bring Him a penny. When they had brought it to Him He asked, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They answered, "Cæsar's." Then was manifested the wisdom of Christ in answering puzzling questions, as He replied, "Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's." The men who were trying to "catch Him in His words" recognized their defeat, and were much surprised at His answer. But the reply of Christ was more than a shrewd parry to disconcert His enemies. It forms the foundation of a very important doctrine, namely, the separation of church and state. It was easy for Christ to see that the union of church and state would be a very effective means employed by the adversary for perverting the plan of salvation. If this answer of Christ to the representatives of the Pharisees and Herodians had always been heeded by the church, none of the unholy alliances with human governments, that have so demoralized both church and state, could ever have taken place. If men would always render to God His full due, and to the state no more than its due, the God-designed principle of religious liberty would always have recognition. This is the lesson we learn from the Lord Himself, and surely His professed disciples ought to heed it, whether the world does or not. God's plan is that the Gospel should be taught to the world by His disciples, through persuasion. 2 Cor. 5:11. When, however, the church delegates its mission to the state and asks the state to do any part of its work by compulsion, God and His cause are dishonored. Jesus says to His disciples: "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, . . . teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Now if Christ be with the church unto the end, and He has all power in heaven and in earth, what more can be added in the way of power? To seek any other power, is to deny His omnipotence; it is to say that His power is not sufficient for His work. Moreover, Christ imparts His power through His Spirit, and not through the state. And any attempt to "catch Him in His words," and make Him appear to teach something else, is to act the part of the Pharisees and Herodians.