In Matt 22:15-22, a group a Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus. With various political issues going on with Roman occupation of Israel, the Pharisees ask Jesus if the people should pay taxes to this Roman government.

Jesus asks whose image is on the coin used to pay taxes. They answer it is Caesar’s image on the coin. So, Jesus says to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God that which is God’s.

We are all made in God’s image. Our very selves are walking images of God. But it is not only our appearance, as God is invisible, but our very beings that bear the imprint of God.

There are two implications of this.

The first: Looking inward, I am made in the image of God. My life and capabilities are then God’s. Render to God what God owns. Just as the coins remind us who issued them, so our very life reminds us of our author and issuer and owner. What do I withhold from the One who owns me? Money? Doing good works with my abilities? Engagement in relationships with those God would have me serve?

The second: Those who are made in the image of God reflect God’s likeness - even the ones we are afraid of or cannot seem to understand. People that have a different ethnicity, those from a different economic situation, those who’s sexual orientation differs from mine, those who’s experience with their gender identity is different from mine. All of these are bearing the likeness of our Holy God. Disparaging these individuals is the same as disparaging God. Our failure to foster relationships with a particular group of people does not excuse bad behavior toward the very image of God.

The Pharisees walked away from the encounter amazed at Jesus’ rebuke. They were sowing division and Jesus redirected them toward service to God. How then do we respond to Jesus telling us that we are made in God’s image, owned by God, and owe our lives to God; and also that everyone else who lives out authentically who God has created them to be are also bearers of the image of God, owned by God, loved by God, imagined by God. Is my judgment of others based on how God designed them? Do we not then render to God hatred, disrespect, chastisement, and judgment when it is directed to those whom God has made?