Luke 20:19-25

[glasshaus]

The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people; for they perceived that he had told this parable against them. So they watched him, and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might take hold of what he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. They asked him, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, "Show me a coin. Who likeness and inscription has it?" They said, "Caesar's." He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

We are all created in the image of God, and bear God's insignia. In this passage, Jesus teaches that the ruling authorities of this world can demand that which is theirs, and God can demand that which is his- and he delineates between the property of God and the property and of the ruling authorities of this world by demanding to see the insignia. He wants to know whose likeness is on the item in dispute. Let us not confuse the matter by buckling to the temptation to erect the insignia of the ruling authorities of this world in our churches. By doing so, we only declare that they have claim to what is rightfully God's.

-Claven