In the book of Mark we see Jesus’ enemies trying to trap him with a question about paying taxes. In his reply, Jesus reveals three important lessons about God’s priorities and the created order He established.
Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Mark 12:13-17 in the message: Ownership, Direction and Belonging:
- OWNERSHIP – God owns us. We belong to Him and are made in His image.
- DIRECTION – God’s ownership of my life determines my destiny.
- BELONGING – If God owns you, then He is responsible to keep you. We can be assured that the Good Shepherd is going to take good care of us.
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
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ~~ Romans 8:29