Don’t Dodge the Political Tension | Mark 12:13-17

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Our text today is Mark 12:13-17:

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

It’s a trap disguised as a question. The Pharisees and Herodians, strange allies, join forces to corner Jesus. They ask about taxes. If he sides with Caesar, he looks like a sellout. If he sides against Caesar, they’ll turn him in.

But Jesus doesn’t flinch at their political trap. He asks for a coin, points to Caesar’s image, and delivers a mic-drop moment:

“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s—and to God what is God’s.”

They came for a soundbite. What they got was a lesson on image, ownership, and ultimate allegiance. Because the coin may bear the emperor's image, but you bear God’s.

Jesus isn’t just being clever. He’s being confrontational. Caesar may own the coin, but God owns everything—including you.
You’re made in His image. That means every breath, every choice, every allegiance belongs to Him. That’s not a political dodge—it’s the deeper political tension. It's the political discussion most people won't have. God’s image is the greater political image. And no matter where your passport says you’re from, His image on your soul demands a higher allegiance.

So yes—pay your taxes. Be a good citizen. Honor the laws of the land. But don’t let politics become a spiritual escape. Don’t let national loyalty replace kingdom loyalty. Because you can’t truly render to Caesar what’s his unless you’ve already rendered to God what’s His: that's everything.

#GreaterAllegiance, #GodsImage, #Mark12

ASK THIS:

1. Why did Jesus ask about the image on the coin?
2. What does it mean to bear God’s image in daily life?
3. How are you tempted to give your energy to earthly kingdoms over God’s?
4. What would it look like to truly “render to God” what is His?

DO THIS:

Ask: Am I spending more energy defending Caesar’s image than reflecting God’s?

PRAY THIS:

Father, you made me in your image. I don’t want to give my loyalty to lesser kings. Help me live in a way that reflects your rule. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“No Other Name”