Thank you for the question about Matthew 22:15–32, “What is a complementary reflection about Matthew 22:15-32?”
Matthew 22:15–32 is relevant to our times with the Cancel Culture and the “contested” Presidential Election. I listened to a sermon by Pastor Paul Shen on the subject of submission and honoured. I enjoyed it. I Peter 2:11–25 is a complementary passage to Matthew 22:15–22. The passage is long but quite relevant to our divided culture.
The text says this, “11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when “he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages).
Here are my reflections on Matthew 22:15–22 and I Peter 2:13–25.
A. God has ordained civil government with the purpose of upholding justice and righteousness (I Pet. 2:13–14).
Rome was the civil government that ruled over Israel and the Sanhedrin upheld the Law of Moses over the Israelites. Christians are under the authority of our Republic and the local leadership of the church. Whatever form of government one lives under, that person is to recognize that God has allowed that government and its rulers be in office.
Jesus recognize “Caesar” as the ruler of the Roman empire. Whether one is an independent, Democrat, Republican or Libertarian, it is appropriate to recognize the person in that office
B. Civil government has the authority/right establish civil or religious regulations (Matt. 22:17).
The regulations imposed by the civil or religious authorities may be just or unjust. The taxes imposed by Caesar and the governors were unjust and with favoritism by the tax collectors. Even with that injustice, Jesus declared that the Jews are to give what is required by Caesar.
C. Followers of Jesus are to good witnesses to the unjust person.
The Apostle Peter gives the example that Jesus suffered unjustly by the religious leaders and the civil authorities even as he entrusted himself to God. So his followers are to entrust themselves to God even when they don’t like the civil law but are to follow it. God has a plan that even uses the unjust civil ruler for his purposes and God is sovereign to change heart of a ruler or to change the ruler.
Please do not misconstrue that I condone a person in authority with the right to abuse or rape women. I condemn that kind of action. Since civil authorities are to uphold laws, one can and should seek justice against a personal wrong. If the State of Texas establishes a 20 mph in all residential zone, citizens are to follow it. If a person commits a crime recognized by the law, then one is to pursue justice for that action was against the law. So if the non-profit tax exemption for religious organization was rescinded and churches had to pay taxes, then churches should pay taxes for that is an established law. Churches can be a good witnesses by paying the taxes as mandated by the law.
SUMMARY: Followers of Jesus are to honor those in office and follow the laws of the country provided that law does not violate the Scriptures (Acts 4:18–20).
For more perspectives:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-complementary-reflection-about-Matthew-22-15-32