Whose Image?
Matthew 22:16-21 The
Pharisees sent their disciples to Jesus along with the Herodians. “Teacher,”
they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of
God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no
attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right
to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You
hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying
the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is
this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar's,” they replied. Then he said to
them, “Give to Cesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.”
THE center point of this conversation is not about the coin,
but it is about the image on the coin and in our hearts. The Pharisees wanted Jesus
to speak against Rome’s taxes, to accuse Jesus of rebellion against Rome, a
capital offense.
Jesus, though, asked,
“Whose portrait (image) is this?” to essentially say, “I’m not interested in
where your money goes. My desire is to stamp God’s image on your heart.”
Sin has clouded
God’s portrait in our lives. Through the ages the devil has trapped mankind’s
mind to cause us to say, “I want what is desirable to the eye.” Those earthly
desires corrupt God’s eternal image in us. Instead of our lives reflecting our
eternal God, our mirrors reflect “more”.
Jesus has come to
restore mankind to bear the image of God, and he taught us that day, “Give to
God what is God’s.” Yes, give to God your heart, mind and soul. Give your life
to the One whose image is stamped on you.
LIFE Link: Reflect God.
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