Whose Image?

Here is an interesting email from my friend John Bennett, who allowed me to pass it on to you.

“Recently, while listening to a message by Ravi Zacharias, I gained a new insight into a very familiar scripture (Matt. 22:15-25) – one that is quite relevant during tax season.

Some Pharisees asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. The Pharisees were not seeking truth but rather to trap Jesus. To directly answer the question was to either anger the Jews or place Himself in direct opposition to Rome.

When faced with a difficult question asked by someone with ulterior motives, it is often wise to respond with another question. Jesus asked to see one of the coins used to pay Roman taxes. He then asked whose image and what inscription appeared on the coin. Obviously, the coin bore the image of Caesar and a Roman inscription. The coin was the property of Rome. Since they were using Rome’s money, Rome had the right to levy taxes on them. Jesus instructed them to give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and to God what is due to God.

In light of Jesus’ answer, anyone sincerely seeking truth would have asked the following question. What then belongs to God? Jesus might have responded, “Whose image do you bear?”

According to Genesis, we are all made in the image of God; we belong to Him. However, that image was marred by sin. Jesus came to buy us back and restore His own image in us. Clearly, the Pharisees missed the most important question.”