Life is saturated with things and events which require thought, examination and proper spiritual balance. There are times where our response to some questions requires silence and times when our answers need more thought, wisdom and guidance from others (Pro. 11.14). Having these ideas and concepts in mind are important and will help us in every context of life when applied properly. Jesus asked a probing question to the Pharisees and Herodians which caused them to keep their peace and marveled the people: “Whose is this image and superscription?” (Matt 22:20). Let’s consider some thoughts from the text and contemplate some applications to better our lives.

The Pharisees of the day had some men (who were not sincere and honest) attempt to catch Jesus in his words (Luke 20.20). These men wanted to hand Jesus over to the powers that be to destroy him and his influence. These men inquired about their responsibility to Caesar and their need to pay taxes or not (Mark 12.14-15). Jesus responded masterfully to their question in this fashion: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12.17). Jesus knew how to strike the right balance to life’s dilemmas. We must learn to take this wisdom and apply it as well.

Upon request of wanting to see the currency of the day, Jesus beholds the penny and makes two observations worthy of our attention. The first one is the “image” and the next one is the “superscription”. The idea of image is seen in the words, “likeness, profile or representation”. The concept of superscription is seen in the words, “inscribe, title or engrave”. Jesus capitalizes on two important things for them and for us today. We should pay attention closely to both observations and take note. Regarding those things belonging to the authorities that govern us, give them their due and regarding those things belonging to God, do likewise (Matt. 22.21). We have an obligation to both.

The money of their day is like much of the money (this does not include our digital sources of currency) of our day. Our coins and dollar bills have images of people, animals, buildings and symbols accompanied with words honoring our nation and the God of heaven in whom we trust. As they used printing mechanisms to engrave their money, we have the coin mint and printing press to make impressions upon our currency. However, just as the currency of that day and ours belong to the government, we should see the importance of God making an impression upon us and claiming us as His own. What a powerful lesson by our Lord as He uses images and writing to make moral and spiritual connections.

As members of the church of Christ, we should never forget the way God has impressed upon us His identity. We obeyed from the heart that form (impression) of doctrine that delivered us (Rom. 6.17). That form of doctrine is the gospel message of Jesus Christ according to Romans 1.16. God has impressed upon us the image of His Son and now we have the Spirit of Christ in our hearts, crying out “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8.29; Gal. 4.6). Through God’s impression of goodness, righteousness and truth, we have everything we need to be just like God in our reasoning and righteousness resulting in our eternal redemption (Eph. 5.8-9). Our responsibility is to allow this impression to transform us daily by the Spirit of God into the same image from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3.3, 16-18).

We have to ask ourselves some questions today. Whose image do we carry? Whose writing is upon our hearts? When we figure that out, then we can begin to make the proper adjustments and live accordingly. What should we render to the LORD seeing we belong to Him? Hopefully we are bearing the marks of the Lord Jesus as Paul did (Gal. 6.17). Prayerfully we are impressing God’s will upon our lives and the lives of our families. Friends, this is important and we must guard ourselves from leaning to our own understanding (Pro. 3.5). Our obedience to His word and will is the thanks we give God for the good He has bestowed upon us as Christians.

In closing, we should do our best to carry the image and superscription of God in our lives. This will be seen in our speech and our actions as members of the church and in the community. Also, as the church of Christ in San Angelo, we are making an impression upon our neighbors and friends to the glory of Almighty God (Matt. 5.13-16). God’s people must see the beauty of having the mind of Christ and demonstrating the fruits of righteousness in the face of every context of life. May we be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might today and everyday (Eph. 6.10ff). God is true!