Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So 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 difference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, the, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They 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.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
The Jewish authorities, those in power during Jesus’ life, continue to try and trap Jesus with a skillfully prepared question, hoping that he will answer their question. One way or another, they are out to get Jesus in trouble. The Pharisees, the Jewish religious authorities have brought with them representatives of the civil government, the Herodians.
If Jesus answers their question, he will be in trouble. If is answers that people should pay the tax to the emperor, then he is in effect setting aside the law of God. But if he advises that the tax should not be paid then the civil government will accuse him of stirring up a rebellion to the government. The Jewish authorities, believe they have outwitted Jesus.
As much as the Pharisees want Jesus to answer their question, we should be aware of our own desire for Jesus to tidy up everything by just telling us what the answer is. Jesus, what do you want us to do? We want to be able to simultaneously do what will keep us in good standing with the civil authorities and with our faith community. But instead of answering our question, Jesus widens the question, leaving politics in the dust.
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, “No on can serve two masters.” Everyone will have to decide for themselves. What is it that bears God’s image? And, what belongs to whom? The emperor can plaster his picture and his words across the whole of the Roman Empire; he can conquer every inch of land on the earth and crush people under his power and authority, but he can never hold the source of any person’s breath and life, not even his own.
The God in whose image we are created and from whom we receive life is described by the prophet Isaiah: It was a time when the Babylonian Empire was the most powerful in the world and loomed heavily over the people of Israel.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child? . . . .
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” (Isa. 49:15-16)
What ever has the emperor’s image belongs to the emperor. Whatever bears the divine image belongs to God. Every life is marked with the inscription, the image of the One who is its source of being and its destination.
It is true that the image can sometimes be difficult to recognize, in us and especially in others. What we normally see is the image that our culture has left upon us? You are what you look like, what you have, what you wear, what you do, the company you keep. But underneath all that, we all share a much deeper mark, the sparkle of light in our eyes and the sign of a cross, made once upon a time on our forehead.
To give to God that which, by right of creation itself, belongs to God means to return all that we are and all that we have. What we may be required to give the emperor, the state and temporal order, is only money. Our total allegiance of heart, mind, and soul belongs to God.
Discussion questions:
1. The authorities must have been a little frustrated, that Jesus did not answer their question. Do you expect Jesus to give you answers or give you questions to help you decide for yourself?
2. How do you decide what belongs to God and what belongs to the world?
3. How do your decisions influence your daily life?
4. What are the implications for you that you were made in God’s image?
This week’s blog was written by the Reverend Sandi Mizirl, Episcopal priest and missioner at Texas A&M University and Blinn College. We worship together on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm. All are welcome. Check us out at www.episcopalaggies.com
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