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Key Bible Verses: And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and title are these?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar, and pay to God the things that are due to God." (Matthew 22:20-21, AMP) Dig Deeper: Acts 5:17-32

Holding the coin in his hand, Jesus asks, "Whose likeness and title are these?" They respond, "Caesar's." Jesus then responds, "Pay therefore to Caesar the things that are due to Caesar …." The Herodians think they've won. Before the Herodians can celebrate, though, Jesus says, "… and pay to God the things that are due to God."

To understand what has occurred, we need to look at the word "likeness." It is the Greek word eikon, and it means "image." Both groups gathered that day would have been very familiar with the creation account of Genesis. So when Jesus uses eikon, these Jews could not help but think back to the creation where God makes man in his eikon.

Jesus' point: give Caesar his due; after all, it has his eikon on it. But then Jesus says we are to give to God what is God's. Well, what is God's? We are! We are made in his eikon. Jesus is teaching that image equals ownership.

Jesus has in essence said that their arguments about politics in the scheme of things are petty. Governments deal with aspects of our lives like currency, while God wants all of our lives. Government, compared to the kingdom of God … well, there's no comparison.

—Bryan Loritts in A Cross-Shaped Gospel

My Response: I will reflect on how being created in God's image should impact the convictions I hold and the life I live.

Thought to Apply: Prayer is political action …. Prayer is public good. Far more of our nation's life is shaped by prayer than is formed by legislation.—Eugene Peterson (pastor, scholar, writer)

Adapted from A Cross-Shaped Gospel (Moody, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Father, give me a clearer and deepened understanding of what Jesus meant by "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God" (Matt. 22:21).

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