Daily Word Of God
Mark 12:13-17
The chief priests and the scribes and the elders sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to catch him out in what he said. These came and said to him, `Master, we know that you are an honest man, that you are not afraid of anyone, because human rank means nothing to you, and that you teach the way of God in all honesty. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not?’
Recognising their hypocrisy he said to them, `Why are you putting me to the test? Hand me a denarius and let me see it.’ They handed him one and he said to them, `Whose portrait is this? Whose title?’ They said to him, `Caesar’s.’ Jesus said to them, `Pay Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and God what belongs to God.’ And they were amazed at him.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- Jesus not only avoided falling into the Pharisees’ trap but also startled them with His explanation that ‘what belongs to Caesar must be given to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.’
- God created us in His likeness and thus we are stamped with His image. Hence, we owe our life and everything we have to God.
- Do you acknowledge that your life belongs to God and not to yourself? Thus, we are meant to live our lives in God’s ways and not in ways that are against His Gospel truths.