URC Daily Devotion Tuesday 24 February 2026

St Matthew 22: 15 – 22

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Reflection

The Pharisees ask Jesus what seems like a simple question: “Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” The problem is: if Jesus says “yes,” ordinary Jewish people would see him as a traitor. How could he tell them to pay their money to their Roman oppressors? But if he says “no”, the Romans would see Jesus as a revolutionary to be removed. So Jesus does what he often does, and answers their question with another question. He gets them to bring him a denarius – the equivalent of about 10 pence – and asks them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

The image on a denarius was of Tiberius Caesar, and it said “Tiberius Caesar, son of divine Augustus.” In other words, “Tiberius Caesar, Son of God.” And on the reverse it read, “pontifex maximus”, which means “High Priest.” It was also well known that the coins – regardless of who’s pockets they were in – all ultimately belonged to the Emperor.

Compare this with what the Bible teaches about human beings. We are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). We are not gods, but in and through Jesus, his death and resurrection, we can be adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5). We can become royal priests (1 Peter 2:9) – those able to approach God and to hear from Him – with Jesus as our great High Priest (Hebrews 3:1).

‘Can it be any clearer?’, Jesus seems to be suggesting. Give Caesar back his worthless silver coin, and give to God what is God’s – your very life, made in His image.

Prayer

Creator God, you made me in your image.
Loving Christ, you restored your image in me.
Holy Spirit, you sanctify and empower me to live for you.
Help me to give you my all, today and every day.
To love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as myself.
Amen.