Whose Image?

Matthew 22:15-22

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do notregard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.” So, they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription isthis?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that areCaesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

Jesus gave several parables describing the wickedness and unbelief of the Jewish religious leaders, which caused them to want to kill Him. However, they were afraid to do anything to Him during the Passover because the multitude believed Him to be a prophet. So they devised a plan to ask Him a question and use His response against Him. The Jews hated paying taxes to their Roman oppressors because they believed to do so was pledging loyalty to a pagan emperor. Yet, it was required of them under Roman law. If Jesus said they should pay taxes to Rome, then the Jews could use that to turn the people against Him. If He said they should not pay taxes to Rome, then they could report Him to the authorities and have Him arrested for sedition. They thought Jesus had no way out of this one, but Jesus knew of their hypocrisy and gave a brilliant response. He asked to see a denarius, the coin required for the annual tax, and asked them whose image appeared on the coin. They replied that it was emperor Caesar’s image. Jesus told them if it has Caesar’s image, then it belongs to Caesar, so they should give Caesar what belongs to him, and they should give to God what is rightfully His. The Jews marveled and were left speechless because they did not expect Him to give such an astute answer.

Jesus was not drawn into their trap by their feigned flattery. He knew their motive right away and let them know He knew. Nevertheless, He still answered their question by telling them the truth. They were living in two conflicting kingdoms, and each had their own requirements. The same is true for you today. You have to pay taxes, obey the laws, and cannot rebel against the civil authorities of your country of citizenship. However, as a Christian, you are also a citizen of heaven. Both kingdoms in which you have citizenship demand your faithfulness and obedience to their laws. Jesus made it clear that money, which bears the image of earthy leaders, belongs to those earthly kingdoms. However, you bear the image of God. The Lord says He created mankind in His image (Gen. 1:26). That means you belong to the Lord. Jesus was telling the Jews to pay their taxes and give to God what was rightfully His: their entire being. The problem was they did not want to do either. Are you obeying Christ’s command by paying what rightfully belongs to the government? Have you given your entire being to the Lord? Faithfully give what is due to every kingdom, and never forget whose image you bear and to whom you belong.