The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

He saw through their duplicity and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

While the threat of death at the hands of religious leaders is still ever present, Jesus continues to answer their questions, even when their reasons for asking aren’t so pure.

This question might seem like it’s about taxes, but it’s not really. It’s about allegiance. Does Jesus declare allegiance to the empire of the Roman occupiers by supporting tax paying, or does he declare allegiance to Jewish rebels by decrying it? In true Jesus fashion, he does neither. He lets them know that they are asking the wrong question to begin with. After all, if we truly believe that everything is a gift from God, then what is left that belongs to Caeser alone?

Q. Reflect on the tension between our earthly responsibilities and our allegiance to God. In what ways can we navigate the demands of the world while remaining faithful to God?

God, grant us discernment in navigating the complexities of earthly obligations and spiritual allegiance. Help us to approach our responsibilities with sincerity and transparency, seeking to honor You in all things. As we engage with the world, may we remember that we bear Your image, and our ultimate allegiance belongs to You. Guide us in rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to You what is Yours, finding a balance that reflects the priorities of Your kingdom.

Amen.