Give to God

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Matthew 22:21

Here in this story, the Pharisees and Herodians were trying to trip Jesus up again. They ask him if they should pay taxes. Sometimes we are tempted not to pay the correct taxes because of what the government is doing with it. It was the same during Jesus' time. Even worse, the Jews were a dominated people, forced to pay debilitating taxes to feed Roman citizens. 

"Whose head is this and whose inscription?" Jesus asks about the coin he requested in answer to their question. 

The coin that Jesus asked them to bring Him had the image of a goddess on one side and the image of Augustus Caesar on the reverse. It also had another element abhorrent to the Jews: an inscription "CAESAR DIVI F." which signified that Caesar was God and to be worshipped. 

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's..." He answers them. " And give to God what is God's." What a brilliant answer! In one short lesson, Jesus tells us succinctly that as we are all in the image of God, WE should give ourselves to God! We belong to Him and we are His!

The Jews knew very well that in first chapter of the Torah, it taught that God made Adam, "btzelem elohim," in the Image of God. In effect, Jesus was telling them, "Give your whole self to the One Who has imprinted Divinity upon you!" 

Thank You Lord for we are precious in Your eyes. We belong to You, You made us for Yourself. You created us for a purpose and in love. May we always treat others with the dignity and love we all deserve for we all brothers and sisters of the same Father.