Should we pay taxes to Caesar? The coin Jesus’ listeners produced had Caesar’s likeness on it. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” Jesus replied. And whose image does Caesar bear? He is a man, who bears God’s image. By Jesus’ reasoning concerning taxes, therefore, Caesar himself owes homage to God. Furthermore, as Rome’s ruler, he carries out God’s justice on wickedness. As God’s agent, he again owes obedience to God. As Jesus told Pilate, “You could have no power at all against me unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11, see Acts 12:23).

Throughout history most governments have been monarchies, but the United States and Canada are commonly called democracies, or, more precisely, republics. There is no image of Caesar on our coins. Nevertheless, Jesus’ reasoning applies. Every member of our nations bears the image of God, marred and disfigured for sure, but retaining remnants of His glory. Even unbelievers know in fragmentary fashion the content of God’s Law because it is written on their hearts. Therefore, even in a democracy where the people as a whole bear final authority, the people who rule owe submission to God, both individually and collectively.

In Psalm 2, God famously calls on the kings of the earth to pay homage to His anointed king. But the Psalm goes further in its analysis of political power than referring only to kings. It speaks directly to the nations—to the entire electorate. “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?” (v. 1). He speaks to His anointed king. “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance” (v. 8). On Mount Carmel, Elijah too spoke not just to King Ahab, but also to the people. “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, follow him’” (1 Kings 18:21).

The second psalm also recognizes the place of what in our countries are now called elites. It refers to the rulers who “take counsel…against his anointed” (v. 2) and says, “Be instructed, you judges of the earth” (v. 10). Kings, prime ministers, and presidents owe everything to God. So do aristocrats and elites in every part of society. So do all people.

The people of the United States and Canada bear God’s image and, by Jesus’ reasoning, owe allegiance to their Maker. That humble obedience should include their personal prayers, their church loyalty, their family life, their economics, and their politics. “Render to God the things that are God’s” because “it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves” (Ps. 100:3). Finally, if the emperor of Japan were to fall on his knees before the one Maker of heaven and earth and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, then he would rightly say to all of Japan, to its people and to its elites, “Come, let us serve God together. We too bear God’s image and so we belong rightly to Him.” He would rightly say that because Jesus Christ is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16). Amen.