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- Oct 26, 2007
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They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they had heard [these words], they marveled, and left Him and went their way. Matthew 22:21-22 NKJV
When the religious leaders were trying to “trap him in his words’ (Matthew 22:15), Jesus provided an answer that reached beyond the question. He often does.
When the leaders asked if it was right to pay a highly controversial tax, Jesus asked them whose image was on their coins. When they replied, “Caesar’s,” He explained that they should “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:20-21). Jesus’ answer didn’t end with giving to Caesar what belonged to him; it ended with giving what belonged to God.
John Hockman maintains, “while ancient kings carved stone statues in their images to remind their subjects of their greatness, magnificence and authority, God created living beings in his image, breathing into them an infinite sense of value.”
Jesus’ answer reached beyond the question, beyond paying taxes. It reminded His accusers that being stamped in God’s “own image” (Genesis 1:27) answered one of the deepest human needs—to feel valued.
As Matthew records the rest of the chapter, Jesus’ answers left His accusers speechless: “No one could say a word in reply” (Matthew 22:46). His answer should leave you speechless for other reasons!
Prayer: Father, thank You for creating me in Your image so I might experience its intrinsic, infinite value!
When the religious leaders were trying to “trap him in his words’ (Matthew 22:15), Jesus provided an answer that reached beyond the question. He often does.
When the leaders asked if it was right to pay a highly controversial tax, Jesus asked them whose image was on their coins. When they replied, “Caesar’s,” He explained that they should “give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:20-21). Jesus’ answer didn’t end with giving to Caesar what belonged to him; it ended with giving what belonged to God.
John Hockman maintains, “while ancient kings carved stone statues in their images to remind their subjects of their greatness, magnificence and authority, God created living beings in his image, breathing into them an infinite sense of value.”
Jesus’ answer reached beyond the question, beyond paying taxes. It reminded His accusers that being stamped in God’s “own image” (Genesis 1:27) answered one of the deepest human needs—to feel valued.
As Matthew records the rest of the chapter, Jesus’ answers left His accusers speechless: “No one could say a word in reply” (Matthew 22:46). His answer should leave you speechless for other reasons!
Prayer: Father, thank You for creating me in Your image so I might experience its intrinsic, infinite value!
