Give Unto God What Is God’s: The Hidden Call to Surrender
Introduction
Good morning. Today, we explore a profound statement made by Jesus that has resonated through the centuries: "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give unto God what is God’s." On the surface, this passage is about the separation of earthly and divine responsibilities. However, there is a deeper, hidden meaning that Jesus reveals through His words. By understanding the context and the symbolism, we can discover a powerful call to give ourselves wholly to God.
The Context: Taxes and Temptation
1. The Question of Taxes
- The Pharisees and Herodians, seeking to trap Jesus, asked whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. They hoped to catch Him in a statement that would either alienate Him from the people or put Him at odds with Roman authority.
- Scripture Reference: "Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22:17)
2. Jesus’ Response
- Jesus, perceiving their malice, asked for a denarius and questioned them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" They replied, "Caesar’s."
- Scripture Reference: "Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied." (Matthew 22:19-21)
3. The Command
- Jesus then delivered His famous line: "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give unto God what is God’s." This response was both wise and profound, acknowledging the legitimacy of earthly authorities while pointing to a higher spiritual truth.
- Scripture Reference: "Then he said to them, ‘So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.’" (Matthew 22:21)
The Hidden Meaning: The Image of God
1. The Image on the Coin
- The coin bore the image of Caesar, symbolizing his authority and ownership over the currency. Jesus’ point was clear: the coin belongs to Caesar, so give it to him.
- Symbolism: The coin represents earthly matters—money, power, and temporal obligations. It bears the image of Caesar, reminding us of our responsibilities to the state and society.
2. The Image on Humanity
- But what about the second part of Jesus’ statement? "Give unto God what is God’s." To understand this, we must consider another image—one that is not stamped on coins but on our very being.
- Scripture Reference: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
- Hidden Meaning: Just as the coin bears Caesar’s image and is thus his, we bear God’s image and belong to Him. Jesus is reminding us that while we fulfill our earthly duties, we must also recognize our spiritual obligations. We are made in the image of God, and therefore, we owe Him our very selves.
3. Our Duty to God
- The call to "give unto God what is God’s" is a call to surrender our lives to Him. It is a reminder that our ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly power but to God Himself.
- Scripture Reference: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- Application: Just as we fulfill our obligations to earthly authorities, we must also fulfill our spiritual obligations. This means offering our lives as a living sacrifice, dedicating ourselves to God’s service, and living in a way that reflects His image in us.
Lessons for Today
1. Balance Earthly and Spiritual Responsibilities: Jesus teaches us the importance of balancing our obligations to society with our commitment to God. We are to respect and fulfill our earthly duties, but we must never neglect our spiritual responsibilities.
- Scripture Reference: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)
2. Recognize God’s Ownership of Our Lives: Just as the coin belongs to Caesar, our lives belong to God. We are created in His image, and He calls us to live in a way that honors Him.
- Scripture Reference: "For in him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)
3. Surrender to God: The hidden message in Jesus’ words is a call to surrender ourselves to God. We are His creation, and our ultimate purpose is to serve and glorify Him.
- Scripture Reference: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1)
Conclusion
Jesus’ statement, "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give unto God what is God’s," is more than just a clever answer to a tricky question. It is a profound teaching that challenges us to recognize our true identity and purpose. We are made in the image of God, and as such, we are called to give ourselves fully to Him. May we live lives that reflect His image and bring glory to His name.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for creating us in Your image and for the reminder that we belong to You. Help us to balance our earthly responsibilities with our spiritual duties. Give us the strength to surrender our lives to You, living in a way that honors and glorifies Your name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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