Rendering to God and Caesar
And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” 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.
Mark 12:13–17
+
Rendering to God and Caesar
The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” reveals profound truth about our dual responsibilities as citizens of earthly nations and the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we are citizens of two kingdoms, and as such, we navigate the complexities of living in the world while being not of it. We fulfill our civic duties, respecting authorities and laws, as an act of obedience to God who establishes governance. Paying taxes, voting, and contributing to society’s welfare are part of our earthly obligations. However, our ultimate allegiance is to God. We bear His image, created for His glory, and our lives are to be lived in devotion to Him. Our hearts naturally belong to our Maker, who stamped His image on us at creation. Though sin shattered that image in us, the Lord still wants us for His very own people and sent Jesus to make that possible. Therefore, we prioritize worship, love of neighbor, and the proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus’ wisdom in this passage calls us to balance our responsibilities. May we faithfully render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to Him, living as Christ’s ambassadors in all spheres of life.
Mark 12:13–17
+
Rendering to God and Caesar
The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” reveals profound truth about our dual responsibilities as citizens of earthly nations and the Kingdom of God. As Christians, we are citizens of two kingdoms, and as such, we navigate the complexities of living in the world while being not of it. We fulfill our civic duties, respecting authorities and laws, as an act of obedience to God who establishes governance. Paying taxes, voting, and contributing to society’s welfare are part of our earthly obligations. However, our ultimate allegiance is to God. We bear His image, created for His glory, and our lives are to be lived in devotion to Him. Our hearts naturally belong to our Maker, who stamped His image on us at creation. Though sin shattered that image in us, the Lord still wants us for His very own people and sent Jesus to make that possible. Therefore, we prioritize worship, love of neighbor, and the proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus’ wisdom in this passage calls us to balance our responsibilities. May we faithfully render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to Him, living as Christ’s ambassadors in all spheres of life.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2026
January
In The GardenBy Your Own LawA Kingdom Not From HereThe King Who Bears Witness to the TruthWhich Jesus Will You Have?Behold the King We MockedBehold the Man, Lifted for YouAuthority from Above, Glory from the CrossBehold Your King, Lifted Up to JudgeThe Place of the SkullIt Is WrittenEvery Promise KeptStabat MaterIt Is FinishedThese Three TestifyA True TestimonyA Quiet Courage at the CrossThe Empty Tomb and the Wounded SaviorSeeing, Believing, and the Linen Left BehindCalled by Name in the GardenDo Not Cling, Go and TellPeace in Wounded HandsThe Wounds That Speak PeaceMy Lord and My GodYou May Have LifeFishingIt Is the LordThey KnewFeed My LambsFollow HimFollowing Jesus, Not Comparing Paths
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestCalled by GraceOur Eternal High PriestPerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGifts of the CrossFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good as DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
No Comments