Whose Image?

Luke 20:22 Is it right for us to pay the tribute tax to Caesar or not?”  20:23 But Jesus perceived their deceit and said to them, 20:24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 20:25 So he said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” [NET]

Tested by the religious, self-righteous leaders of that time. Jesus’s response is one of the Bible’s most famous and revealing statements. I always loved to read this and picture the scene of these self-serving elitists. Full of fear, trying to preserve their position of power. 

The False Dilemma

Of course, they set up a false argument. Most of these arguments are based on emotion and current sensitivities. The Jews were being taxed heavily by Rome. The Jewish leaders reasoned this was a perfect opportunity to trap Jesus. Between both sides, the Romans and the Jews. They thought they would expose him by tricking him into a no-win dilemma.

His response exposes them and their hearts. Most importantly, it reveals their lack of understanding. This is the very thing in which they prided themselves, knowing the Law and knowing of God. They did not claim to know God but to know about God. They relied on this established knowledge, and they trusted in their own understanding.

Exposed

Whose image and whose inscription? Great question. Well, it was Caesar’s and his written authority. 

20:25 So he said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” [NET] 

The Jewish leaders were stunned, and they were exposed for who they were. They had no response. Their knowledge and their understanding failed them. Suddenly, they were not so great in the eyes of the people. 

They were to be God’s representatives. To give the people understanding and knowledge of God. They were to display the image of God and the inscription of his laws. 

There are Two Images and Two Inscriptions

The first image and inscription in the story are obvious. It is stated. Caesar’s image and inscription. This is a picture of the world system. It’s image and authority.

The second is implied. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Give to God what is God’s. 

What image and inscription are God’s? 

Genesis 1:27 God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. [NET]

You are in His image.

Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant that I will establish with them after those days, says the Lord. I will put my laws on their hearts and I will inscribe them on their minds,” [NET]  

This is the renewing of your mind and the fruit of His Spirit He has put in you.

His image, His mind, and His nature are the things you are to give to God.

The Image You See

Before you can give yourself entirely to Him, you must know who you are in Him. You function according to the image you have of yourself. This image you have of yourself determines how you live your life. 

What you see is what you get out of life. If you see yourself as limited, your life is limited. If you see yourself victorious, your life is victorious. The image you see is the image you are.

New Image

You need a new image. If you are a Christian, you need a “new to you” image. As a born-again Christian, you are given the image of Christ—the image of God himself.  You need to see this and know that you have and are this very image given to you. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come! [NET]

Put on the New Man

Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. [NET]

So, how do you put on this “new man?” First, you learn the truth. You know what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you and the new image he has given you.  The first place to get this truth is from his word. 

Simply read the New Testament. Read the letters Paul wrote. They reveal the truth of who you are in Jesus, and they reveal them in a real and practical way. God will reveal what he has given you.

Just read and let the Spirit of God take you along on a journey of His word. See the pictures of the people and their lives. See the free gifts Jesus has made available to you. See how these gifts changed people’s lives. See the mercy He has for you and His faithfulness to you in all things.

See that you have already been “created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth.”

Spend Time with Jesus 

Get into His presence. This is where His image that He has given you will become who you are.

You will see the real Jesus and His goodness. This is not some super spiritual thing. This is just getting alone and coming to Him. Just tell Him you want to know Him. Just say to Him that you need help to know Him. Just tell Him you want to see Him as He is.

He is faithful, and He will lead you into His presence. Just rest and listen. He will take you along the way and show you who you are in Him. Trust Him. Trust His faithfulness. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 And you all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [NET]

This is a journey; you will get to know Him better and more intimately. Take your time and just be around Him. His word you have read will also come alive during this time. Think on His word and be with Him all through your day.  

During your day, say, “Hi, Jesus.” Just speak to Him, and He will be with you. This is a simple thing, and your relationship with Him will grow more each day.

When You See Him, You will be like Him

When you see who He is, you will be like Him. You will know who you are; the image you see of yourself will be His. 

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, you are God’s children now, and what you will be has not yet been revealed. You know that whenever it is revealed, you will be like him because you will see him just as he is. [NET]  

To know who someone truly is, you must live with them. You will then often become like them. Good or bad, you will start to be like the people you live with. I say live with because that is where the genuine person is revealed. 

You are to live with Jesus. It is even more intimate; you are to live in Jesus. Simply live your life in Him. Speaking to Him, listening, and just in His presence. As you do this, it will become second nature, just like living with a person. 

Soon, you become comfortable with them and come to know them. You will know their voice, and you will build trust in them. 

This is Progressive

2 Corinthians 3:18 And you all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [NET]

You will be transformed into His image as you live with Him and in Him. This is by His Spirit through your spirit. His presence, Glory, and goodness will increase in and on you. 

Soon, you will realize that you “see” Him and are like Him. You will know that you know who you are and who He has made you to be. You are in His image.

Give to God what is God’s

You live in this world, but you are not of this world. Yes, you must follow the laws and pay the taxes. This is “Caesar’s”, but you are not Caesar’s. You are in God’s image, and you are His.