Caesar’s Image or God’s Image?

As we return to our passage from yesterday we see another truth the Lord shared in this last week of His life before His crucifixion. No one likes to pay taxes, and the enemies of Christ knew this and thought they could entrap Him in a way that would make Him less popular with the people. Just a side note, isn't it sad that when people cannot stand on truth, they deflect the issue and turn it into a popularity contest. It was going on thousands of years ago, with technology and 24/7 TV it has just made it worse.

It is almost comical that man thinks he can outwit his Creator! Pay careful attention to how our Lord deals with this issue, there is much wisdom in what He says.

Mt 22:15–22 “Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. “Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? “Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away. ”

Jesus refuses to get drawn into an argument that will lead nowhere. Whether someone likes paying taxes or not, really is not up for discussion. The Roman government was going to make sure you paid taxes no matter how you feel about it. Jesus knew this was a moot point, so He went straight to the real issue. All of us need to learn from the Lord the wisdom of keeping our focus when in discussions on sensitive issues. Far too often we get off message, we make it personal or end up spending all of our time and energy debating an issue that really is not what we had planned to discuss. Jesus constantly remained on the offensive, which is what we need to learn to do. Not to offend people, but to remain focused on the real issue and refuse to become defensive and lose our way in the discussion. The Lord knew they were trying to trap Him, by discussing the popularity of taxes. Jesus turned the discussion back on them by asking them whom the coin belonged to. When he pointed out that what was Caesar's is Caesar’s they had nothing to say. There is a real jewel of wisdom for contemplation in this discussion. Yes, Jesus shuts the mouths of his enemies, however He also leaves us with some real meat to chew on.

The coin was made with Caesar's image, and Christ said because of that it belonged to Caesar. When He states render to God what is God's, we need to pause and consider that truth. Whose image are we made in, and what does that mean for our life? The world would like to make us in its image. All form and no substance. The Lord could have just pointed out that the coin belonged to Caesar and stopped there. He did not, instead He challenged us with the second portion of His statement, and we must ask ourselves; are we giving to God what is God's? So many in the world think God wants our money, I'm sad to say some teachers on TV would lead you to think that, however, nothing is further from the truth. God desires only to have what He made in His image – US! 

As we move toward Easter is it not proper for us to consider; am I giving to my Maker what He desires? Do I reflect what my Creator would like me to be? Do I fit God into my life, or is my life about God? Give to God what belongs to Him!