THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 22:15-22
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)
The religious leaders are setting Jesus up, baiting Him to defy Rome to be arrested.
Jesus’ response avoids their trap, but what is Jesus actually saying?
The religious leaders implicate themselves with their opening words to Jesus.
They are not men of integrity, they do not teach the way of God in accordance with sincerity.
They are swayed by others because they pay attention to who they are!
How they treat Jesus shows that they honor themselves – and Caesar – above God.
As Jesus followers, our first loyalty is not to government, nor to self-preservation, but to Jesus.
But this does not mean rebellion against those who are in authority over us.
Jesus teaches us to respect our leaders, to treat them as humans with humility and grace.
We owe God and people love and respect – it is a permanent debt (Romans 13:8).
As citizens of God’s kingdom, we submit to our leaders as long as they do not force us to disobey God.
And when we must refuse, we do so with the same humility, respect and integrity as Jesus did!
This is the Jesus Way (Matthew 5:38-48), how we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Citizens of the kingdom will be good citizens in this world, people of integrity (Matthew 22:16).
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your gracious Spirit reminds me that I owe respect and honor to everyone, whether I like them or not. Help me to be a good citizen of Your kingdom, but giving those around me what I owe them!
The Pharisees tried to discredit Jesus with their question. Even they disliked the rulers of the day but wanted to take their competition out. Jesus confronted them with the coin itself. The rulers had their own image stamped on the coins and where the coin was used the ruler held the power over the people. Give to Caesar what belongs to him.
As the coin had the ruler’s image stamped on it, so we too have an image stamped upon ourselves.
God’s.
We are created in His likeness.
We are not our own but His. I belong to Him body and soul through His blood
and
I need to give myself as a living sacrifice to Him.
Today once again I must live for Jesus.
My life belongs to Him.
And in all that I do this day, may it acknowledge that He is my Lord and King.
My Jesus, my Saviour,
Lord there is none like you.
All of my days, I want to praise,
The wonders of your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter,
Power of refuge and strength.
Let every breath, all that I am,
Never cease to worship you.
CHORUS
Shout to the Lord let us sing,
Power and majesty, praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar,
At the sound of your Name.
I’ll sing for Joy at the works of your hands.
Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise,
I have in you.