Jesus combats false teaching of the most important kind in this passage: the denial of the Resurrection. Without the true doctrine of the Resurrection (both of Christ’s and of ours), the Christian faith and life become meaningless. But with the truth of the Resurrection, everything in this life gains meaning. Indeed, there is nothing that the Christian can’t face in the light of God’s grace through eternity.

Jesus in this passage explains the relationship between the church and the state. More importantly, He demonstrates that God is over all things. And through the Gospel, specifically, Jesus enables His followers to live in any nation-state, no matter what system of government is in power. Christians can pay taxes to a tyrant just as they can to a benevolent ruler. This is possible only because God has provided everything His people need in Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives the perfect and model prayer for Christians in this passage of Scripture. By praying this prayer, God’s people are asking their King and Heavenly Father to use them and to work through them in order that His Kingdom might come on earth. Christians should take great hope and encouragement as they make this prayer. God is always faithful to answer this prayer. Truly, may His will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!