Two Sides of a Coin 

Read Matthew 22:15-22

I imagine yesterday’s reading and thoughts left you with some uneasiness, some discontent. As residents of God’s kingdom, clearly we can see that the governments and authorities of this world can often be at odds with the priorities of God. How do we “submit to their authority” while standing for God’s values at the same time?  

I believe our text today helps us wrestle with that question. 

“He took a coin and held it up and said, “Whose image is on the coin?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said, “All right, then give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar; but give to God the things that belong to God,” (Matthew 22:20-21). 

By this Jesus clearly indicated that there are limits to the power of government. Caesar has his image on certain things; therefore they belong to him—Jesus affirms that. What Caesar put his image on belongs to Caesar. The implication is that governments have authority over what we do with our property and how we behave with one another as part of a nation.  

But Jesus also clearly indicates they have no right to touch what God has put His image on, meaning our hearts and souls. Remember what Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.”

We are “stamped” in the image of God.  

Rulers are under God; therefore they have no right to command men to do what God says shouldn’t be done, or to command men not to do what God says should be done. When there is a conflict between the ways of man and the ways of God, God reigns. Period.

Governments are not to enslave people, because we belong to God. Governments are not to oppress people, because we bear the image of God. What bears God’s image must be given to God, not to Caesar. 

by Jim Caler