Missing the big picture

Mark 12:15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus 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.

Have you ever remembered the humor of a commercial, but were totally unable to recall whose commercial it was. This happens to me a lot. There is a series of insurance commercials running right now that are hilarious, but I cannot remember whose commercial it is! I think that I have missed the point of the commercial (actually they have, but that is another story).

Look at the conversation above, where the Herodians and Pharisees miss the point entirely. They are trying to trap Jesus. They come to Him trying to trap him about paying taxes to the Roman emporer, Caesar. I love how Jesus does evangelism. They approach Him, trying to trap and trick Him so they can get rid of Him and He is trying to Save them even as He knows their evil intent. They are banking on Him saying "no" and thus have some ammo against Him.

As they lay the trap "should we pay taxes to Caesar?", Jesus actually uses their prop of a denarius (a roman coin) to draw them to Himself. He says, "Whose likeness and inscription is on the coin?". They say Caesar. He says in effect, "your right so render the things that are Caesar's to Caesar (material money)." Jesus knows that the only reason Caesar is in power is because God had ordained it and had actually given Caesar the authority he has to impose taxes. Jesus knows that God uses all types of highly sinful people to accomplish His will. So he "deflates their balloon" as He does not fall in to their trap, and He does not yield His claim to authoity either. They thought they were going to match up a power struggle: Jesus verses Caesar. The trap was laid so Jesus would either have to yield power, or provide the ammunition to do away with Him if he would break laws by saying "don't pay the tax". Either way they were going to get rid of Him and retain what they wanted: their power, pride and self laid plans. Or so they thought.

Jesus totally flips the table on them, and they don't even see it. He reinforces Caesar's power to extract taxes because God has ordained it. He also reinforces His own authority. Look deeply. He uses the coin to say render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. Then check out the next line, "and to God the things that are God's". It really doesn't seem to fit the dialogue until you think deeply into why Jesus came to Earth. He is showing that just as the denarius is the "likeness and inscription of Caesar", He is the "likeness and inscription of God". They are trying to trap Him. He is trying to free them from the trap they are in, but can't see it. They are resting smuggly in a false sense of self righteousness, He is offering a chance to rest in His rock solid righteousness. They are trying to please God by earning their way, He is lovingly showing them He is the only way. They are worshipping themselves, He offers a salvation by worshipping Him!

As Paul says in Colossians 1:15 "he is the image of the invisible God" and they missed the big picture entirely. I do believe there is solid application in each of our lives from this episode. Are you resting in Christ's righteousness or are you desperately trying to figure out another way to sooth that burning conscious that is sending you warning signals that something is wrong with religion and or rebellion?

Are you rendering the things to God that are His? That would be your Life, Soul and Praise!