JESUS SPEAKING

‘So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the Governor. Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth: is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But He perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Why do you test Me? Show Me a Denarius (Roman coin.) Whose image and inscription does it have?” They answered and said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But they could not catch him in His words in the presence of the people. And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.’ (Luke 20: 20 – 26.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

In the first century, Israel was conquered by the Roman empire. Thus the Jews were compelled by their occupiers to pay heavy taxes. When asked if paying taxes to the Romans was lawful, Jesus drew attention to a single Roman coin; which possessed Caesar’s image and inscription; so then returning what already belonged to the Emperor wasn’t evil. And yet like coins, human beings were created by God in His image and likeness (as revealed in the book of Genesis.) According to Jesus, these treacherous men who approached Him, were so fixated on rebelling against the Romans that they had failed to accomplish their most important purpose; to offer themselves up to God and live in submission to His will.

Children are a wonderful blessing and inheritance from God. When a parent holds a newborn baby in their arms for the first time, naturally they feel a sense of ownership; as if the child belongs to them. However, like every other valuable thing we possess, children belong to God. Parents then are simply stewards of what God has given them. And so the duty of every parent is to bring their children up “in the training and admonition of the Lord.” God must always be the primary focus of their lives. If God is first, then everything else will find its necessary place.

As human beings we are created in the sacred image of the Lord; and thus we belong to Him. Those who put God first in their lives and acknowledge His ownership, will become His precious possession. However, those who choose to rebel against His authority will continue serving the things which can never set them free. Follow God and know His ways; acknowledge Him and He will walk with you in fellowship, as a Father and a friend.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to make You the priority in our lives. Provide us with the strength to abandon useless things, and to embrace Your ways with great enthusiasm. May we belong to You. May we be Your precious possessions, now, and forever. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!