Twenty five years before this a revolutionary named Judas of Galilee had torn down the golden eagle of Caesar and when questioned said that people should NOT pay taxes to Caesar. He was put to death. The scribes were trying to replicate this incident by asking Jesus the same question. Their goal was to get Jesus killed and they manufactured a situation to try and create that result. We are guilty of this same thing; baiting people. 

-Manufacturing negative interactions is the was of the fallen, not the way of Jesus’ followers. If you are going to set people up, set them up for success. 

Tribute- Luke uses this word vs ‘taxes.’ It was the annual gift required to be paid to Caesar for the “gift” of being his subject. The Denarius called Caesar God and Great High Priest. It had a graven image of him on it. People were required to carry it with them as Caesar worship. 

Give- Jesus doesn’t use the common word ‘give.’ It means to give back to the creator or owner of it. Pay back what is owed to Caesar. 

What Jesus is aimed at isn’t just about money. Jesus is saying we have to learn to live in both realities; this world and God’s Kingdom. When they come into conflict God’s Kingdom wins, but we can’t withdraw completely from the kingdom of this world. Don’t be surprised when those kingdoms come calling for what is due to them. 

Examples:

Don’t be surprised when your most important relationships are with people who don’t love Jesus and you feel pressure to compromise how you live. 

Don’t be surprised when you are aimed at climbing corporate ladders don’t be surprised when your family resents that you are MIA. 

Don’t be surprised when you are so aimed at education and study that you lose sleep and are filled with anxiety. 

These things are Caesar demanding what is due them. Whatever system you choose to operate in will press on you to adapt to their values and expectations. 

When Jesus frames this question about whose image is on the coin, every person in the crowd would have been reminded of the creation narrative. God’s image is on each of us. We owe him ourselves; all of us. We cannot compartmentalize ourselves. 

This isn’t just about money. This is about identity. Who do I believe I am?