Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax w to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. [1]
________________
Jesus’ instruction to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s amazed His opponents and ended their attempt to trip him up.
But how do we respond to it? What does it mean for my life today? What belongs to God that I might give it to Him? Jesus asked for a coin to make a point. No doubt He already knew whose image and inscription was on a denarius. What is His point?
Whose image is on me? Whose name is inscribed on my life and my heart? I am made in the image of God, His representative to do His will in His creation. I am “inscribed” with the name of God, explicitly in baptism. As Paul says, I am not my own. I was bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So not only do I belong to God by virtue of creation. I also belong to Him by virtue of redemption, because of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. More than that, I belong to Him by virtue of calling through the Holy Spirit. I belong to Him as His witnesses, ambassador and disciple sent to the world. This is true for all who call themselves followers of Jesus.
Far more important than the question of taxes is the question of faith and following. I belong to God. Am I giving myself to Him, for His glory, for His service, so His kingdom? And if I myself belong to God, how much more so all of those things that I consider my own: My time, my talents, my thoughts, my future, my possessions, my accomplishments. May God lead us in giving of ourselves to Him for His glory.
Lord Jesus, all that I am and all that I have is truly Yours. Your name is upon me, and your image is being reworked within me. Lead me by Your Spirit into a live of continually giving myself to You for Your glory and Your Kingdom.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
To subscribe to Abide Daily Devotion e-mail please click here
[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 22:15–22). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Leave a Reply