They ask him if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. He asks for a coin. "Whose image is on this coin?" Caesar's. Then he says, "Return to Caesar that which is Caesar's and return to God that which is God's."
Too often, this exchange is used to pretend that there is an divide between "church and state" which is never, ever to be crossed. Too often, this exchange is used to insist that talk of religion and talk of politics are to remain in two completely separate realms.
Read Mark 12 for yourself. Be reminded that Jesus isn't giving an opinion, he is thwarting the attempts of those who would entrap him. This does not mean that he speaks words which he does not intend, but it should give us pause when interpreting those words.
"Politics" are not evil. We must pay attention to how we live together. And, how we live together is a matter of great concern to God. We have lost the skill of talking politics, in large part because we so quickly become entrapped in partisan talk.
Jesus' words we not received well. Those who asked him were of the mindset that God's people ought never participate in the realm of Rome's empire. Many (myself included) hear Jesus telling them to acknowledge those parts of their lives where the state does have a role.
There will always be politics. And the people of God must become active in the political debates. We must avoid partisanship. Every vote, every candidate, every letter written to a Representative must be informed by what it is that God has laid on our hearts about this issue.
We are to return to Caesar an accurate depiction of how God has told us to live among others. Caesar may not listen, but that does not mean we will become silent or withdrawn.
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