Mark 12:13-17
Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.
Read Mark 12:13-17 noticing the manipulative tactics of the Pharisees and supporters of Herod.
The religious leaders are getting so desperate that in order to trap Jesus, they join forces with supporters of the governor appointed by the oppressive Roman government. The very people who should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah, or at least should have recognized the power of God in the miraculous acts of Jesus, are so determined to protect their carefully constructed religious system that they have missed God in their midst and are intent on his destruction. If religion is humanity’s attempt to reach God, this religious system has failed miserably.
Take a moment to reflect on your own thoughts and feelings about religion. Is there any “form” of religion that might have become a bit too important to you?
Read Mark 12:13-17 again zeroing in on Jesus’ answer.
The image of Caesar stamped on the Roman coin represents a monetary system created by people. Since Caesar is in the highest position of authority in this human government system, the taxes levied by that system ultimately belong to him.
But from the beginning of time, God’s image has been stamped in the soul of every human being, and since God is the Creator and ultimate authority, that which bears God’s image belongs to God.
When we attempt to live our lives apart from God, the image of God becomes distorted and obscured by layers of disappointment and disillusionment. Our identity is lost, because we forget who we were meant to be and we forget that we belong to God. But the echoes of God’s image rumble inside our souls reminding us that something is missing.
The only way to reclaim our true identity is to remain in the presence of Jesus allowing his Holy Spirit to peel back the layers from our souls until the image of God is clear again.
Do you ever struggle with knowing who you really are? Talk this over with Jesus for a moment.
As you end your time of reflection, ask Jesus to continue his work in you to reveal the image of God and your true identity. If you feel prompted to do anything, or stop doing something, make a plan for responding in obedience.
Are you finding these meditations to be helpful? If so, please forward them to a couple of friends. Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.
