Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 22:15-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. Verse 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Verse 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" Verse 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Verse 19Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Verse 20Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" Verse 21They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." Verse 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Devotion
In an attempt to be divisive, opponents of Jesus tried to trick him by asking if they should pay taxes to the Roman emperor. Jesus, realizing the trick, asked whose image was on the particular coin. It was answered the emperor’s. “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt. 22:21b) was Jesus’ response.
Does this leave you puzzled? The question one might ask is: “on what, or rather on whom, is God’s image?” While parts of our lives may belong to other powers of this world, our ultimate loyalty belongs to God alone. God has shown his ultimate loyalty to us through sending his Son, Jesus, to suffer and die for our sins, and we are claimed as his own in baptism, marked with that cross of Christ. No worldly powers can ever take that away.
Prayer
Gracious God, you have marked me as your own. Help me to know and trust that I am yours. Amen.