在經典的連環漫畫《花生》中，奈勒斯因為相信有南瓜大王而被朋友責備。他沮喪地走開，說：「我學會永遠不要跟別人討論三件事，那就是宗教、政治和南瓜大王！」

南瓜大王只存在於奈勒斯的腦海中，但其他兩個議題卻很真實，甚至會造成國家分裂、家庭破裂、朋友決裂。在耶穌的時代也出現過這樣的狀況：法利賽人非常虔誠並嚴格遵守舊約律法，而希律黨的人則比較偏向政治。這兩個群體都期盼猶太人可以早日脫離羅馬帝國的壓迫，但耶穌似乎與他們的目標並不一致。因此，他們向耶穌提出帶有政治色彩的問題：我們該不該納稅給凱撒呢？（馬可福音12章14-15節）如果耶穌說可以，百姓就會憎恨祂；如果祂說不可以，羅馬人就能以叛亂的罪名逮捕祂。

耶穌隨即要人拿一枚銀錢給祂看，並且問道：「這是誰的像，誰的名號？」（16節，新譯本）人人都知道那是凱撒的肖像。耶穌的回應至今依然發出迴盪：「凱撒的物當歸給凱撒，上帝的物當歸給上帝」（17節）。耶穌清楚知道自己的優先次序，從而避開了他們設下的圈套。

耶穌來是要遵行天父的旨意。當我們跟隨耶穌的帶領，便能以尋求上帝和祂的國度為優先，不再專注於一切紛爭，而是將焦點轉向耶穌，唯有祂才是真理。

In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”

The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:14–15)? If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.

Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.

Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the one who is the Truth.