PODCAST
Do You Look Like Your Father?
April 14th, 2011
Luke 20:20-26
Hoping to trip Jesus up, spies come with what they think is the perfect question. “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
For Jesus to say “don’t pay taxes” will get him in hot water with the Roman government. For Jesus to say “pay taxes” could be interpreted by the religious elite as elevating Caesar above God. Thinking they have him in an inescapable corner, Jesus responds with a simple request. “Bring me a coin.”
He now becomes the question-asker. “Whose picture is on the coin?”
“Caesar’s,” they reply.
“What bears Caesar’s picture should be given to Caesar.” Tax question resolved.
Giving is often done grudgingly, whether it is taxes or our response to God. Christ-followers bear the image of the Father. What if his image showed through how we live this day? What if we generously gave of ourselves through acts of love, words of blessing, encouragement, and hope?
