Faith and citizenship

Who does this belong to?

If you find something, normally you want to find the owner right? Well, this is not that.

Who owns this wallet? And If you were to look into a mirror whose image would you see?

The money in the wallet is mine, the image in the mirror is you, and the money has the seal of U.S. Treasury department and you have the seal of God for you were made in His image.

Our passage today is going to look at faith and citizenship. Religious leaders are going to send spies with a politically charged question to try to “trick” Jesus and “trap” Him. How Jesus addresses the issues teaches that citizens have obligations to both human government, and yet their deepest loyalty belongs to God, whose image we bear.

Big Idea: As Christians, we must uphold our civic duties while ensuring our ultimate allegiance belongs to God, who has rights over our very lives and futures

Dual Citizenship

Luke 20:21–22 NASB95

21 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. 22 “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

Luke 20:23–24 NASB95

23 But He detected their trickery and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

Luke 20:25–26 NASB95

25 And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 26 And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.

Is there anything that sticks out to you in this passage?

Why did “they” send spies to try to catch Him (v.20)?

so that they could catch him in some statement in order to deliver him to the rule and the authority of the governor.

Why does Jesus ask for a denarius (v.24)?

To show whose likeness is on it and the inscription is on it.

What did Jesus respond to them (v.25)?

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s

What were the results of Jesus answer to them who asked the question (v.26)?

They were unable to catch Him

They were amazed at the answer

They became silent

One more question, how does this passage challenge our view on government and faith?

This passage helps Christians discern the balance between their earthly responsibilities and their ultimate allegiance to God, encouraging them to live as faithful citizens while prioritizing their commitment to God’s kingdom.

The Trap

Luke 20:20–22 ESV

20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. 21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?”

Spies were sent to catch Jesus, trap Jesus in His own words.

The came with their intentions of pretending to be righteous and to catch Jesus in saying something against the Roman government.

They use hypocritical flattery to lower His guard, or to bait Him.

The Token

Luke 20:23–24 ESV

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.”

Jesus asked for a denarius, to see the likeness, the inscription.

Jesus is asking for the coin as a symbol of earthly transactions. This could indicate while earthly aspects such as taxes have their place, we should identify the material and temporary realm versus our spiritual commitments and eternal legacies. This duality calls us to reflect on where our ultimate treasures and loyalties lie.

Jesus exposes their own use of Roman currency.

The Timeless Response

Luke 20:25 ESV

25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

This shows legitimate civic duties vs. ultimate divine allegiance. dual responsibility, Caesar and God.

Jesus is teaching about dual citizenship, earthly and heavenly. The application suggests living responsibly within societal systems while prioritizing spiritual obedience.

The Testimony

Luke 20:26 ESV

26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

The people marveled at His answer and became silent.

Truth disarms deception.

The outcome of all this is that the trap they set fails, and truth prevails, the spies are quieted and are left marveling at Jesus answers.

Discussion Questions

In what ways do we face similar “trap” questions in today’s culture?

How can we discern when to submit to earthly authority and when to stand for God’s truth?

What does it look like to live with dual allegiance — citizens of earth and heaven?

Application Section

Civic: Pay taxes, vote responsibly, respect laws as long as they do not contradict God’s word.

Ultimate Allegiance: Our Identity and worship belong to God alone. Careers, politics, or possessions cannot claim that devotion.

It may be tough at times to be fully loyal to God and be uncompromising of your faith due to worldly pressures, but God has equipped you for it with His word, and His Spirit and the community of believers.

Everyday Witness: Show integrity— pay what you owe, speak respectfully about leaders, and pray for those in authority (consider 1Tim2:1-2).

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Conclusion

Jesus did not just escape the trap, He revealed a timeless truth, we live in a dual citizenship right now.

We live in a world of government systems and expectations, but our hearts belong to God. May we be wise, discerning and faithful.

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar and unto God what is God’s. Remembering what we are marked with God’s image!