In yesterday’s devotional we focused on a passage from Mark 12 where some hypocritical leaders were trying to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.

Today let’s zero in on another element of Jesus’ response. As usual, there is more going on in the text than what first meets the eye.

They asked him about paying taxes. This was a certain kind of tax which needed to be paid with a certain coin, a denarius. Today it would have been worth about $150.

They brought him one. “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” Jesus asked (verse 16, ESV).

The coin had a picture of Tiberias, the Roman Emperor. That’s when Jesus said the famous line: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Today I’d like to draw your attention to the word “likeness.” Jesus had asked: “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” The Greek word for “likeness” was the same word used back in Genesis 1:27 to describe the creation of humans. We are made in the “likeness” (or “image”) of God.

In other words, just as coins with the Emperor’s likeness make their way back to him, so should humans with God’s likeness make their way back to him as well! 

This is a daily choice. 

We will give ourselves to materialism, or our Maker? 

Will we give ourselves to culture, or our Creator? 

Will we give ourselves to people’s opinions, or the Prince of Peace? 

We will give ourselves to shallow pursuits, or our Good Shepherd?

In whose image are you made? Not a Prime Minister or Presidents. Not a pop star or trending YouTuber. Not a star athlete or business tycoon.

But Lord God the Almighty, author of grace and truth.

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Notes:

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on April 14, 2025.