Mark 12:13 Look For The Mint Mark.

Children’s Sermon

Show the kids different dollars

Read Bruce’s Morgan dollar poem.

Talk about what the symbols on the money mean.

In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 5112, (d)(1): United States coins shall have the inscription "In God We Trust". The obverse side of each coin shall have the inscription "Liberty". The reverse side of each coin shall have the inscriptions "United States of America" and "E Pluribus Unum" and a designation of the value of the coin. The design on the reverse side of the dollar, half dollar, and quarter dollar is an eagle.

Note that Congress suspended the requirement for an eagle to appear on the back of the quarter for the duration of the State and National Monuments series. It was also deemed that the Statue of Liberty on the reverse of Presidential dollars was a suitable substitute for the word Liberty on the obverse.

“Another day another dollar” origin and meaning. It was rumored that the workers on the Panama Canal recieved 1 dollar a day for their labor. In fact for 2 hundred 200 until the advent of WWI a dollar was the standard wage for a days labor.

give them all a penny. Look for the mint mark.

Grownup Sermon

Todd Davis the CEO of LifeLock has had is identity stolen 13 times. We are looking at a short story today that deals with identity and coins.

The Pharisees got lawyered-up. In Luke’s account it tells us that they sent spies. The Pharisees are getting tricky here.

To catch him. Or hunt Him or fish for Him. A word only used once. indicates the use of violence to catch someone.

Show why verse 14 is a difficult question.

During this time many Jews were locked in conflict with Roman authorities. Many wanted to establish a theocracy as an ideal Jewish state and for them, any Gentile ruler over Israel was an abomination before God. Paying taxes to such a ruler effectively denied God’s sovereignty over the nation. Jesus couldn’t afford to reject this position.

Resentment by the Jews against the Roman poll tax and Roman interference in Jewish life led to one revolt in 6 CE under the leadership of Judas the Galilean. This, in turn, led to the creation of radical Jewish groups which launched another rebellion from 66 through 70 CE, a rebellion which ended with the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the beginnings of a diaspora of the Jews out of their ancestral lands.

The motive for asking their question was evil but Jesus still answers it. Why? Because God is big enough to handle our questions even our hard ones.

We don’t need to be afraid to ask God questions.

How does Jesus answer their question?

Jesus asked for a coin. Probably because He did not have one.

But who did have a coin in their purse? Already Jesus appears to have the upper hand.

What was the coin?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 12:15b–16

The common Roman denarius, a small silver coin, was the only coin acceptable for imperial tax payments

In Jesus day most had the image of Tiberius Caesar.

Head tax - tributum capitis

The Roman government organised a periodic census to count the number of people liable to pay this tax (Luke 2:1-5, Acts 5:37). The cost was probably one silver denarius per year (one day’s wages) payable by all males aged 14 to 65. Men may have had also to pay for their wives.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary (12:15b–16)

inscription read in Latin: “Tiberius Caesar Augustus, Son of the Divine Augustus” and on the reverse side: “Chief Priest” or “High Priest.”

Each coin was like a mini idol. Which is funny because when I have explained idols to kids in the past I have asked them what are some idols today “and survey says” money almost every time.

Here in Make we are told that Jesus sees their hypocrisy but in Matthew we are told that Jesus actually calls them hypocrites. The Pharisees truly were hypocrites because they did used Caesar’s money as evidenced by the fact that they were able to give Jesus a coin.

(Meaning of Render unto Caesar) One only owes Caesar those things from which one gains benefit. The early Christians used the roman roads and the relative peace and order Pax Romona to spread the gospel. It was only right that they pay their taxes for these services.

The begs the question from what things do we gain benefit from God.

God is big enough to handle our question even our hard ones.

But, when you ask God hard question you should be prepared to get a hard answer.

Jesus answer is hard for even us non-Pharisee, American Christians to hear.

You see Jesus is saying we all bear a mint mark.

And if we are minted in God’s image what might we own Him… Well lets look only a few verses forward in the story at what Jesus says.

Mark 12:29–31 CSB

Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.”

In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since.

— Voltaire

In 2006, Michael Vick became the first quarterback to rush for the illustrious 1,000 yards in a season. Though his team finished 7-9, his future looked bright. Along with his NFL salary, Vick earned money for being the face of Rawlings, Nike, and other companies. In 2006 he brought in an estimated $25.4 million.

He was at the height of his fame when he moved to this area. In fact they even made tee-shirts back then that said welcome to the neighborhood.

By the end of 2007, Michael Vick was broke and in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for his contributions to an illegal dog-fighting ring. His estimated losses totaled $142 million, with some $50 million lost in endorsements . Apparently, Rawlings and Nike did not like being represented by someone convicted of cruelty toward animals. They had no choice but to terminate their relationship. To continue using Vick as a spokesperson would have been tantamount to promoting dog-fighting themselves.

When you represent someone, everything you do reflects on that person. God created humanity to represent Him and to declare His glory. The command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:26) was a command to spread God's glory as His image-bearers to the ends of the earth. Sadly, we abdicated this high calling, bringing shame upon the image of God. Thankfully, our failure is not the end of the story. Through the work of His Son, God is in the process of restoring what we ruined. In Genesis 1:26-28 we read the triune God created man in His image, and after His likeness. We are the only part of creation that has this stamp on us. Animals, birds, livestock, and all the creatures that crawl upon the ground are not made in His image. No trees, mountains, stars, or oceans were made after His likeness. In a world without sin humanity accurately reflected the beauty of God. You were created to enjoy God and reflect His glory. - From Mike Leake the associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Jasper, Indiana.

(Show the LifeLock Picture again)

I hope that now you have found the mint mark on your own life. If you look hard enough you will discover that is does not say “In God We Trust” but rather “In God’s Image”.

Give to Caesar actually means give back or repay in the Greek.

We are minted in God’s good name and thus we represent God’s good name. What kind of a name are we giving back to God?

Giving to the Lord always means give back to God as much as you can from what He has given you.