Whose Image And Inscription?

Every time I read through the Gospels I am struck by the attempts the Jewish leaders made to trap Jesus and the wisdom our Lord displayed in the way He responded. No matter what they came up with and how hard they tried, Jesus silenced them again and again. Reading through Luke 20 this morning I was reminded of one of those times when Jesus was asked such a question that if answered either in the affirmative or the negative it spelled trouble.
Perhaps the leaders thought they really had Him this time.

Luke recorded…
“(20) So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. (21) So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. (22) IS IT LAWFUL FOR US TO GIVE TRIBUTE TO CAESAR, OR NOT?’” ( Luke 20:20-22 ESV)

In Matthew’s account we have Herodians among those who were sent.
( Matthew 22:15) Now, here was the dilemma. The Jewish leaders (Pharisees and scribes and chief priests) claimed to stand for theocracy; the rule of God as sovereign over all. The Herodians (on the other hand) were “a Jewish political party who sympathized with … the Herodian rulers in their general policy of government, and in the social customs which they introduced from Rome. They were at one with the Sadducees in holding the duty of submission to Rome, and of supporting the Herods on the throne.” [source: “Easton’s Bible Dictionary”, Easton, M., © 1897] If Jesus affirmed the paying of tribute to Caesar this would anger those who despised paying anything to the oppressive Roman government. If Jesus said the tribute should not be paid (thus siding with the Pharisees) He would have been charged by the Roman government and its supporters with inciting rebellion against it.

Jesus’ response was both supreme in its wisdom and its significance to our lives today.
“(23) But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, (24) ‘Show me a denarius. WHOSE LIKENESS AND INSCRIPTION DOES IT HAVE?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ (25) He said to them, ‘Then RENDER TO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR’S, AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S.’ (26) And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” ( Luke 20:23-26 ESV)

Truly, Jesus’ response was marvelous! The image of Caesar and the inscription on the Roman coin implied it BELONGED TO the Roman government.
Therefore, the tribute given was based on the idea of OWNERSHIP. Jesus’
conclusion was that whether it be the Roman government or God, what BELONGED TO either should be rightfully given. However, consider an even deeper implication for our own lives.

Note the following two verses:
“(26) Then God said, ‘Let us make MAN IN OUR IMAGE, after OUR LIKENESS. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ (27) So God created MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, in the IMAGE OF GOD he created him; male and female he created them.” ( Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)

“But God’s firm foundation stands, BEARING THIS SEAL: ‘THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’” ( 2 Timothy 2:19 ESV)

Are we living our daily lives with a proper acknowledgement of OWNERSHIP? As Christians, we are not our own. We were bought at a price. ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) We are to possess the likeness of God, recognizing the Lord knows those who BELONG to Him. That means our life is to be given as tribute to God. Let us live such that His image and inscription may be clearly seen.

Have a great day GIVING TO GOD WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY HIS; OUR VERY LIFE!
Carl

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