Passion Week: Tuesday
Tuesday Devotional
Whose Are You?
Welcome
As the week continues, the tension surrounding the story of Jesus increases.
After clearing the temple the day before, Jesus returns to the temple courts and spends the day teaching. He tells parables (Matthew 21:28–22:14; Mark 12:1–12), answers questions about the resurrection (Mark 12:18–27), warns against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23; Mark 12:38–40), and speaks about the destruction of the temple and the end times (Matthew 24; Mark 13).
On this Tuesday of Passion week, let’s listen to Mark 12:13-17 (ESV):
After clearing the temple the day before, Jesus returns to the temple courts and spends the day teaching. He tells parables (Matthew 21:28–22:14; Mark 12:1–12), answers questions about the resurrection (Mark 12:18–27), warns against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23; Mark 12:38–40), and speaks about the destruction of the temple and the end times (Matthew 24; Mark 13).
On this Tuesday of Passion week, let’s listen to Mark 12:13-17 (ESV):
Scripture
13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 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?” 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.
Devotional
Knowing who you are begins with knowing whose you are.
- Andy Swart
This passage of scripture is interesting on several levels.
First, it is important to remember that Jesus knows us. He knows our intentions and even our thoughts; nothing is hidden from him. Here, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus, but he sees it coming from a mile away.
Are there times we think we can fool the Lord? That sounds silly when we consider his omnipresence, yet our actions sometimes suggest that we try anyway. You can’t hide your sin from God. Rather, trust that the Lord is faithful to cleanse us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Secondly, when Jesus inspects the denarius, he asks them whose likeness and inscription is on it. Because the answer is Caesar’s, he tells them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to give to God what belongs God’s.
How great would it have been if the Lord’s answer was “No!” to paying taxes?!
Perhaps if the Pharisees had truer intentions, they might have asked a follow-up question, “And what belongs to God?” Jesus may have replied with a question, “Whose likeness and inscription is on you?”
Brothers and sisters, don’t forget that you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and his word has been inscribed on our hearts (Romans 2:15; Hebrews 10:16). Your identity is not defined by what you do, how much money you make, or what others think of you. Rather, you are who God says you are. If Jesus is your Lord, you have received him and believe in his name, you are a child of God (John 1:12-13).
The coin bore Caesar’s image, so it belonged to Caesar. But you bear God’s image. Your life, therefore, belongs to him.
Rest today knowing your identity is not tethered to temporal structures that change day to day, but in the unchanging God of the universe. Let’s not live to please man, but live to please God.
- Andy Swart
This passage of scripture is interesting on several levels.
First, it is important to remember that Jesus knows us. He knows our intentions and even our thoughts; nothing is hidden from him. Here, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus, but he sees it coming from a mile away.
Are there times we think we can fool the Lord? That sounds silly when we consider his omnipresence, yet our actions sometimes suggest that we try anyway. You can’t hide your sin from God. Rather, trust that the Lord is faithful to cleanse us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Secondly, when Jesus inspects the denarius, he asks them whose likeness and inscription is on it. Because the answer is Caesar’s, he tells them to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to give to God what belongs God’s.
How great would it have been if the Lord’s answer was “No!” to paying taxes?!
Perhaps if the Pharisees had truer intentions, they might have asked a follow-up question, “And what belongs to God?” Jesus may have replied with a question, “Whose likeness and inscription is on you?”
Brothers and sisters, don’t forget that you are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and his word has been inscribed on our hearts (Romans 2:15; Hebrews 10:16). Your identity is not defined by what you do, how much money you make, or what others think of you. Rather, you are who God says you are. If Jesus is your Lord, you have received him and believe in his name, you are a child of God (John 1:12-13).
The coin bore Caesar’s image, so it belonged to Caesar. But you bear God’s image. Your life, therefore, belongs to him.
Rest today knowing your identity is not tethered to temporal structures that change day to day, but in the unchanging God of the universe. Let’s not live to please man, but live to please God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for making us your children through your Son. Remind my heart that I belong to you, and do not have to earn your love. You have given us every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus our Lord, and we are grateful. I pray that you will be with your children, who may be struggling with their identity. Help us stand securely on your word today.
Thank you for making us your children through your Son. Remind my heart that I belong to you, and do not have to earn your love. You have given us every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus our Lord, and we are grateful. I pray that you will be with your children, who may be struggling with their identity. Help us stand securely on your word today.
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