Render unto Caesar

Introduction

Coin illustration

In God we trust

This week as I wrestled with this text, I realized somethings I never had before. Typically we hear sermons on this passage about paying taxes, or sometimes even on tithing. I realized this week that this passage is not as focused on finances as we might think it is. I wrestled with this passage against the backdrop of

Genesis 1:26–27 NLT

26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

To think of this passage in this light will cause you to think differently when Christ asks who’s image is on the coin. and his response to those trying to entrap him then render unto caesar that which belongs to caesar, but unto God that which is Gods. We are all made in the image of God, we are at all times, and in all places to give to God our very lives.

Romans 12:1 NRSV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The question asked of Jesus was a political one, meant to entrap him. His answer defines how we the people of God, who bear his image are to engage in our political system. In all we do we must remember God made us in his image, his image is stamped on us we must render to God what is God’s. The image of God should be what defines us.

Should we be paying taxes to Caesar?

-This question begins a series of entrapment questions. It was designed so that the askers would have some reason to arrest him or for his following to turn on him.

A yes answer would cause many to revolt against him and perhaps start an uprising. A no answer would give reason for an arrest and to hand him over to the Romans.

Poll tax- This tax has caused many of uprisings in Jerusalem against the Roman government. The people did not like paying this tax because it went to caesar. It’s not that they weren’t ok with paying taxes because they do pay the temple tax but this tax enraged them.

Instead of giving into the trap Jesus saw through it. He asks the pharisees for a coin and asks who’s image, who’s name is on the coin? Carrying this coin in their pocket was an offense to the pharisees because it was a roman coin with a graven image. In Rome Caesar was seen as the son of a god. Jewish currency to honor the commandment to not have any graven images didn’t have people’s images on them. So think about that for a minute as the pharisees hand over the coin to Jesus.

As Jesus asks the question who’s image, who’s likeness is on this coin, I wonder if Genesis 1:26-27 is wringing in the ears of these experts of religious law.

Christ answer to their question takes on meaning beyond whether or not to pay the tax, but to remember that humanity bears the image of God, and that we the people of God must give all that we are to God.

Give back to caesar that which belongs to caesar, but give to God what belongs to God. By saying this Jesus is saying fulfill your civic duty to pay the tax, but do so remembering that you are made in the image of God. That we the people of God reflect the image of God in all that we do. In light of being made in the image of God the only Christian response to this passage is one of surrender. What does this look like? What do we owe God? We are to love God with everything we have and at the same time love our neighbor as we love ourselves. To be Christ’s followers we are called to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow him. That is complete surrender in all aspects of our lives. We are called as people of God to reflect his image, his love and grace found in Christ in all things. As God’s kingdom people we bear his image always.

While we owe the government our taxes, the way we engage our political system, must reflect the image of God.

What does this mean for us

We are heading into an election year, unfortunately there will be many churches in this country who may be more known by what party or candidate they support, instead of by the Jesus Christ. The visible image of the invisible God.

As the question asked of Jesus was a political one his answer tells us how to engage. Render unto Caesar tells us to engage, but render unto God reminds who we represent while we engage.

Beyond politics this rule applies. God created you in his image. Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. To reflect Christ in all we do is how we render unto to God that which is God’s.

The next time you look at a coin and see in God we trust, and the image of an old president, remember you are made in the image of God. You bear his image. Render unto God that which is God’s