Because they had resisted the rule of God in their lives, God’s chosen people found themselves given over to Roman rule and were required to pay taxes to Caesar.

Thinking themselves wise, in yet another attempt to trap Jesus, the Jewish scribes asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” (Luke 20:21-22)

Those scribes thought they had out-witted Jesus and reasoned—If Jesus answered “God”, He would be in trouble with Caesar. If He answered “Caesar”, He’d be in trouble with the Jewish people.

“But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said,“Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:23-25)

But don’t miss this—Jesus’ answer was so much more than a tax answer.

His Words were meant to cut to the heart of all of us and deeply profound.

The denarius bore the image of Caesar.
We bear the image of God!

We were made in the image of God (Gen 1:27)

We, who bear His likeness, were made to belong to Him and to render our lives to Him.

While we render to government the temporal things we owe in life, our entire lives were meant to belong to Christ.

This should should impact every area of our lives. It should influence what we think, and how we act, in every situation.

The world will tell you, to live your life for you, but because we belong to God we are to live our lives for Him.

His way
over our way
in every way
all the way
Home.

ReadTheWord

livetheWord

readluke

If you wish to receive this devotional in your email inbox, go to https://kimjaggers.com/blog-2/ and click follow. And I’d so appreciate your prayers as I study and write. ❤️