- Mark 12:13-17 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16 So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” 17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
In yet another attempt to trap Jesus with His words and turn the Jewish people and/or the Roman government against Him, the Jewish religious leaders asked Jesus if Jews should pay taxes to Rome. If Jesus answered ‘yes’, the Jews would have been angry because they greatly resented paying taxes to Rome. If He answered ‘no’, then the Roman government would have a charge against Him since the Jews were required to pay Rome taxes.
The Godly brilliance of Christ’s answer contained a deep truth that applies to all people in all times. The image of Caesar on the coin represented the world system. Yet all people are created in God’s image.
- Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
In answering this question, Jesus gave a clear and practical illustration that reinforces a distinct teaching in the Word of God; a person cannot give their allegiance to both God and the world. You have to choose!
- Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
- James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Christ told the Jewish religious leaders to give to the world what belongs to the world (the things that bear the image of the world) and give to God what belongs to God (those who bear His image).
You were created in God’s image (only man has the ability for advanced reasoning, feelings, free will, a moral compass (conscience) and the ability to commune with God)! But have you taken on the image of the world (a lover of self, serving false gods/idols, an insensitive/inoperative conscience, ignoring God)? To whom have you given yourself?
- Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Give yourself completely to God; the one and only God who created you in His image. Choose the Creator, not the Coin!!
Prayer
Dear Lord, I praise You and thank You for creating humanity in Your image. What a blessing to be aware of You, to commune with You, and to have Your Holy Word. Your Word reveals the gospel message of Jesus Christ and many deep truths that are not revealed by Your creation. I pray that Christ’s words will touch the hearts of many and draw them into a relationship with You leading to eternal salvation. I love you, in Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
