“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Luke 20:24-25

Fast forward to the last week of Jesus’ life. There was always a hustle and bustle to Passover week. But this year the Teacher had drawn crowds when He made His triumphal entry into the city on Sunday. On one hand the people were hanging on His words. On the other the religious leaders were trying to entrap Him to ultimately have Him arrested and crucified as an enemy of Rome.

Duplicity is a good word (20:23), speaking out of both sides of the mouth: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with truth” (20:21). And then the clincher: “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (20:22). Really—they knew the law. You were in deep trouble if you didn’t pay your taxes to Rome.

The commentators agree on the astuteness of Jesus’ question, as did the leaders (2:26). After all, the government did provide roads and police and other services. Let Caesar (Rome) be paid its due.

In stark contrast the image of God was stamped on every man and woman at creation: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27). To be made in the image of God is an awesome thing. Even better, when you confess “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9), you have that image indelibly etched on your spirit.

You all know this story. Every time I read the passage I get goose bumps. The Spirit of God is in me, but do I portray that image to my family, friends, neighbors? Jesus’ rebuke of Martha rings in my ear: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better” (10:41-42). Am I stamped with the world or am I stamped with Jesus? Whose am I?

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV Translation 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.