Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Bearing the Image of God
Matthew 22:15-22
Pradeep John

Connecticut Mar Thoma Congregation

21 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.” 
 

The context of this passage is about the Pharisees plotting to trap Jesus in His words. The question posed by the Pharisees was about paying taxes to Caesar. If Jesus said that paying taxes to Caesar was lawful, His influence among the people would be gone, as they would regard Him as a coward for supporting Roman taxes which the Jews hated. If Jesus would say that paying taxes was not lawful, they would have Jesus arrested by the Romans as a revolutionary.
Jesus asked them for a denarius as He did not possess it. Jesus asked them whose inscription is on it and the Pharisees replied Caesar’s. The Pharisees were marveled by the response of Jesus which is the theme verse.
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s- The ancient view of coinage was a sign of power. Whenever a King conquered a nation, he issued his coin. The coin is valid in all places where the king holds power. The coin with the king’s inscription on it was regarded as king’s personal property. Here Jesus asserts the rights of the state. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom 13:1). Without Laws of the state, life would be a chaos. State gives us the benefits of living a secure and civilized life. One who accepts the benefits which the state gives, cannot opt out of their responsibilities towards the state.
 
Render to God the things that are God’s- If the coin which had Caesar’s inscription on it is Caesar’s property, then we humans who have the image and spirit of God are God’s personal property. Our life is not to be lived according to our own will but according to the will of our Creator who owns us. Our bodies should be kept holy. “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. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”(1 Corinth 6:19-20). There is a sphere of life that belongs to God and not Caesar. Both state and human beings belongs to God and both exist because of God’s Grace. If there is any conflict, loyalty to God should always be first.
As Christians we are citizens of two worlds. Our faithful citizenship to the kingdom of God makes demands upon our citizenship in this world.

PRAYER

Gracious and loving heavenly Father, we thank You for creating us in Your image and for giving Your son to redeem our lives from destruction. Grant us a humble heart to live our life in submission to Your will. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good." (Titus 3:1)
  

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more