The Ownership is Written all Over Us. RRE 31
Religion Ruins Everything 10.11.16 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[13] And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. [14] And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” [15] But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” [16] And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” [17] Jesus 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. Mark 12:13–17 ESV
No matter how Jesus answers, there is a problem. They are forcing Him to side with Caesar against God, or God against Caesar. With enforcers from both sides, He could be arrested or stoned from one answer or the other.
“Why are you trying to trap me?” He asks. In the midst of the conflict, Jesus always seems to be reaching out to them, hoping they will soften up a little.
Then Jesus asks them a question to help them enter the conflict. They have to slow down in their argument and think about what they are asking too. Not only are they trying to trap Jesus, but they don’t see that they are in a trap of being closed-minded. They are stuck in their own trap.
The caesars claimed to be God, so in a simple question and answer, Jesus put Caesar in his place, and God in His. The image on the coin showed ownership. Jesus pointed all of them back to Genesis, where God made mankind in His image. They couldn’t argue with that, but they were suddenly confronted with their own faith and fear in Caesar over their desire to listen to God.
As we walk around today with God’s image, let’s show off His life in us in prayer, thanksgiving, mercy, and grace. Let’s give Him what is His, and let the Caesars play with their coins.