The Ultimate Image

Giving God a Life Lived In His Image

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him (Mark 12:17)

The conclusions the Church has drawn from this story have been limited. We’ve either focused on the fact that the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus, which they were, or we’ve focused on “we should pay our taxes” and “don’t cheat on your taxes.” But there’s far more here, and to uncover a deeper meaning we’ll go back to the beginning of the story:

When the Pharisees approach Jesus, they’ve already been offended yet again, this time by His parable of The Wicked Vinedressers, for they know Jesus was referring to them. So they approach Him, and though the opening words they speak are true, it’s flattery. Their words don’t come from love, they come from their insincere hearts. Their words are unadulterated flattery (another lesson here – learn to discern flattery) - “Teacher we know that You are true…You teach the way of God in truth…” etc. And then the Pharisees get to the real heart of the matter - they pose their question, designed to trap Him:

“Is it lawful to pay taxes or Caesar, or not? Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me?” Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” So they brought it. And then He said, “Whose image and inscription is this?” they said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him. (Mark 12:15-17)

And perhaps the ones who marveled were the ones who understand the deeper truth here. Because Jesus had direct access, even oneness with the Spirit of Truth that came to Him the moment He came up out of the baptismal waters, He could have used any number of ways to give His response. And He could have used any other object to make His point, but He chose a coin as an object for a very important lesson. He could have evaded their question, as He did when He was asked, “by what authority do you do these things?” But He knew this was a teachable moment for those who had ears to hear. And a perfect opportunity.

Because Jesus had a greater purpose, and Caesar’s image was a launching point to speak of something far more important. “In whose image are you created?” Jesus is reminding those who have ears to hear. Just as the coin bore an image, we too bear an image and a likeness that we must be mindful of at all times. Because Jesus always gives and speaks far more than what we initially think, imagine, or understand. And some truth must be mined on a deeper level. Jesus answered a surface level question here, but He also used the opportunity to speak a deeper truth. A truth that holds far more eternal value than the earthly question that was posed.

In essence, Jesus is reminding us - we are created in God’s image, and just as He said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” He’s also saying, “Give to God a life lived in His image” or “live your life in God’s image and give that back to Him.” And this was the heart of the matter. For when we bear His image well, when our lives reflect Him well, we give Him the glory that is due His name. And our lives become well pleasing unto Him. He gives us life and we give our lives back to Him. We are called to be honest and just because He is honest. We are called to speak truth because He is Truth. We are called to be givers because He is a Giver. We are called to love our neighbors because He loves our neighbors. And when we do these things we become more like Him, more conformed to His image.

Know this also: No one else can express God’s image the way you can, with your uniquely designed gift mix of talents. And God has a purpose for each one of those gifts and each one of the skills He’s given you the ability to develop. And when you live your life in accordance and in unity with who He is, when you live your life as “unto Him,” you are living a life conformed to His image. This is His desire. This is His admonition, as referenced in Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And there are limitless ways to bear God’s image. Exhibiting “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17) is a good starting place, as well as the holy fruit of His Spirit you allow Him to cultivate in your life, which starts with love and ends with self-control. Then there are the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1: 5-7, but all of this requires a yieldedness on our part, for we are the ones who choose our level of willingness in how we allow Him to form and fashion us that we may reflect him well:

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance Godliness, to Godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.

We have ample opportunity to bear God’s image and represent Him well. Some of us are truth-bearers, some of us are Shulamites, some of us are Faith-walkers, some of us are His appointed mouth-pieces, but all of us are expected to be bear His image well. At least it’s the opportunity that’s been presented to us - to be Love and to be the Light in a dark world. Because the ultimate triumph is that light prevails and love wins. To God be the glory.

Love Him well and you will bear His image well.

Scriptures

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

Love had been perfected among us in this: we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17

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