Scripture

“Well, then,” he said “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

Observation

The Pharisees decide to trap Jesus into saying something that would get him into trouble. They send a deputation of various factions to meet Him. They start with flattery to disarm him. But then ask the question, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Jesus sees through their words because he looks at the heart. He tells them to show him the coins used to pay the tax. He asks, “Whose image is stamped on the coin?” “Caesar’s”, they reply.

Jesus, then tells them to give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God.

Application

Nobody likes paying tax. This was especially true in Israel where the ordinary people had to pay tax to the hated occupying Romans

By asking Jesus. if it was right to pay tax to the Romans, the Pharisees thought they had trapped Him. He couldn’t say “No” because that would be treason. But He couldn’t say “Yes” because that would discredit him in the eyes of all the people.

Jesus does not directly answer the question, but turns it into a teachable moment. He points out that the coins have Caesar’s image on them, marking them has already belonging to Caesar.

The second half of his answer, that we give to God, what belongs to God is a reminder that people are made in the image of God. If it is right for me to render tax to Caesar, then it is also right for me to give my life to God, who created me.

For this reason, our lives are not about gaining power or status over the other image bearers. Rather we are called to give ourselves to serving God and to serving others.

Prayer

Lord Jesus. Please help me to distinguish between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to you. Amen.