Faith Words: His Image
Today is the day our income tax is due. We have various opinions about the taxes we pay in this country, but right now, it's the law of the land and we do what's required of us.
Once, Jesus was approached by a group of Pharisees and Herodians trying to trip him up and hoping to be able to get him into trouble with either the religious or civil authority. On the surface to us today, this might seem like a simple situation. But there are layers of unspoken traditions and truths that turn a simple scene into a powerful lesson for them and us. This story is told in Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; and Luke 20:20-26.
The Jewish people were required by Rome to pay a certain tax. The tax had to be paid in the currency of Rome. The Roman currency had on it a portrait - a graven image, if you will - of Caesar. Some of the Jews saw possession of such a coin as a violation of the second commandment. There was also an inscription on the coin stating that this coin was tribute to Caesar himself, reminding anyone who read it that Caesar was the ultimate authority in the Roman Empire, who claimed to be divine - a violation of the first commandment.
It was a trap. The Pharisees and the Herodians knew it. Jesus knew it. So, he turned the tables on them and caught them in their own words. It's all right to pay taxes to the government because the government's name and inscription are on the currency. Just don't forget to give to God what is God's. End of story.
Now, maybe you always knew this and it just took me nearly 60 years to learn the underlying message from a knowledgeable teacher, but this story has a deeper meaning that I only recently learned. This story is not about paying taxes. The trap part of the story is also just a side note. Did you ever wonder why they were so amazed at the answer Jesus gave? These Jews knew the Mosaic Law particularly well. They also knew the rest of the Scriptures. Here they were trying to trap Jesus into some kind of rebellion charge against Rome by not paying taxes or some kind of disobedience against the Law of Moses by paying tribute to the Emperor. But they were amazed at his answer.
Whose image and law was on the coin? Caesar's. "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar." Money and earthly authority.
But here's the real stunner. "Give to God what is God's." Who is made in the image of God? (Genesis 1:26) Who has God's law written on his heart? (Deuteronomy 30:14) God's people. Those Jews and us! "Give to God what is God's." Myself and His all-encompassing authority over my life.
When they heard his words, they were amazed. Maybe they had forgotten. But his answer took their breath away. They were reminded: We are God's - made in His image with His law inscribed on our hearts. Give ourselves to God. They were left with no response.
So what about me? Do I realize that I bear the very image and inscription of God Almighty? Do I live my life as a reflection of that truth? Do I give Him back my heart, my soul, my strength, bowing to His authority over my life?
What happens to people who willfully withhold part or all that they owe in taxes to the United States Treasury? You think we're a nation of free people? Just try not paying your taxes. There are very few people and agencies in this country with the power and authority of the Internal Revenue Service. I would venture to say that most of us fear the IRS more than we fear gangs with guns. We know if we don't pay, they'll come after us with a vengeance. So we pay. We give them every last penny we owe.
Yet when it comes to giving God what He's due, we are often more talk than action. We give what is convenient and when it's convenient. We might even excuse ourselves by saying we can never repay God for all He's done for us. But does that mean we don't try?
We serve a God who loves us and has done everything possible to provide for our every need to the point of providing for our salvation at the cost of the life of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. All He asks in return is that we submit fully to Him. He doesn't coerce us. He doesn't threaten us. He asks. He lovingly calls us to come under His authority and protection - to return to Him, to give to Him what belongs to Him.
What do we get in return for our tax dollars? Better roads? Secure borders? No poverty? Not hardly! But what do we get in return for giving ourselves fully to God? A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). A new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). A home with Him in Heaven (John 14:2-3). The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
God loves us. All He asks is that we love Him back. End of story.
Amazed,
Patrice
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Once, Jesus was approached by a group of Pharisees and Herodians trying to trip him up and hoping to be able to get him into trouble with either the religious or civil authority. On the surface to us today, this might seem like a simple situation. But there are layers of unspoken traditions and truths that turn a simple scene into a powerful lesson for them and us. This story is told in Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; and Luke 20:20-26.
The Jewish people were required by Rome to pay a certain tax. The tax had to be paid in the currency of Rome. The Roman currency had on it a portrait - a graven image, if you will - of Caesar. Some of the Jews saw possession of such a coin as a violation of the second commandment. There was also an inscription on the coin stating that this coin was tribute to Caesar himself, reminding anyone who read it that Caesar was the ultimate authority in the Roman Empire, who claimed to be divine - a violation of the first commandment.
It was a trap. The Pharisees and the Herodians knew it. Jesus knew it. So, he turned the tables on them and caught them in their own words. It's all right to pay taxes to the government because the government's name and inscription are on the currency. Just don't forget to give to God what is God's. End of story.
Now, maybe you always knew this and it just took me nearly 60 years to learn the underlying message from a knowledgeable teacher, but this story has a deeper meaning that I only recently learned. This story is not about paying taxes. The trap part of the story is also just a side note. Did you ever wonder why they were so amazed at the answer Jesus gave? These Jews knew the Mosaic Law particularly well. They also knew the rest of the Scriptures. Here they were trying to trap Jesus into some kind of rebellion charge against Rome by not paying taxes or some kind of disobedience against the Law of Moses by paying tribute to the Emperor. But they were amazed at his answer.
Whose image and law was on the coin? Caesar's. "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar." Money and earthly authority.
But here's the real stunner. "Give to God what is God's." Who is made in the image of God? (Genesis 1:26) Who has God's law written on his heart? (Deuteronomy 30:14) God's people. Those Jews and us! "Give to God what is God's." Myself and His all-encompassing authority over my life.
When they heard his words, they were amazed. Maybe they had forgotten. But his answer took their breath away. They were reminded: We are God's - made in His image with His law inscribed on our hearts. Give ourselves to God. They were left with no response.
So what about me? Do I realize that I bear the very image and inscription of God Almighty? Do I live my life as a reflection of that truth? Do I give Him back my heart, my soul, my strength, bowing to His authority over my life?
What happens to people who willfully withhold part or all that they owe in taxes to the United States Treasury? You think we're a nation of free people? Just try not paying your taxes. There are very few people and agencies in this country with the power and authority of the Internal Revenue Service. I would venture to say that most of us fear the IRS more than we fear gangs with guns. We know if we don't pay, they'll come after us with a vengeance. So we pay. We give them every last penny we owe.
Yet when it comes to giving God what He's due, we are often more talk than action. We give what is convenient and when it's convenient. We might even excuse ourselves by saying we can never repay God for all He's done for us. But does that mean we don't try?
We serve a God who loves us and has done everything possible to provide for our every need to the point of providing for our salvation at the cost of the life of His beloved Son Jesus Christ. All He asks in return is that we submit fully to Him. He doesn't coerce us. He doesn't threaten us. He asks. He lovingly calls us to come under His authority and protection - to return to Him, to give to Him what belongs to Him.
What do we get in return for our tax dollars? Better roads? Secure borders? No poverty? Not hardly! But what do we get in return for giving ourselves fully to God? A peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). A new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). A home with Him in Heaven (John 14:2-3). The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
God loves us. All He asks is that we love Him back. End of story.
Amazed,
Patrice
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Comments
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
dancing;
you removed my sackcloth
and clothe me with
joy,
that my heart may sing your
prasises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise
you forever.
Psalm 30:11,12 (NIV)
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.