Rendering to God: Our Identity and Value in Christ

 

Summary

In Mark 12:13-17, Jesus is confronted with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, a question designed to trap him. The Pharisees and Herodians aim to corner Jesus, forcing him to choose between supporting Roman authority or inciting rebellion. Instead, Jesus asks for a denarius and points out Caesar's image on the coin, stating, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." This response highlights the dual responsibilities of living in a secular world while maintaining spiritual devotion. Jesus' wisdom transcends the political trap, emphasizing that while we live under earthly systems, our ultimate allegiance is to God.

The passage is not merely about taxes but about identity and value. Jesus challenges us to consider whose image we bear. Just as the coin bears Caesar's image, we bear God's image. Despite life's trials and the feeling of being crumpled or discarded, our value remains intact because it is God-given. This intrinsic worth is not diminished by external circumstances. Jesus, the true King and Son of God, paid a price we could not, affirming our worth and calling us to live in alignment with our divine identity.

In a world filled with imperfect systems and leaders, Jesus calls us to engage with the world while keeping our hope anchored in Him. Our political and social systems may fail, but our identity in Christ remains steadfast. The story of Mitchell, an atheist drawn to a church community, illustrates the transformative power of Christ's love and the church's role in reflecting that love. As Mitchell discovers his identity in Christ, he finds a purpose and value that the world cannot offer. This journey of faith is a testament to the enduring truth that our worth is rooted in being children of God, a truth that no earthly power can erase.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' response to the Pharisees and Herodians teaches us about dual responsibilities: living under earthly authorities while maintaining our ultimate allegiance to God. This balance requires wisdom and discernment, recognizing that our true citizenship is in heaven. [06:54]

- Our value is not determined by external circumstances or how the world perceives us. Like a crumpled dollar bill, our worth remains because it is God-given. We bear God's image, and this intrinsic value cannot be diminished by life's challenges. [15:16]

- Jesus, the true King and Son of God, paid a price we could not, affirming our worth and calling us to live in alignment with our divine identity. This sacrificial act invites us to trust in His provision and grace, knowing that our lives are secure in Him. [09:56]

- Engaging with the world while keeping our hope anchored in Christ is essential. Political and social systems may fail, but our identity in Christ remains steadfast. We are called to be salt and light, participating in the world's brokenness with the hope of Christ. [12:55]

- The story of Mitchell illustrates the transformative power of Christ's love and the church's role in reflecting that love. As he discovers his identity in Christ, he finds a purpose and value that the world cannot offer, reminding us of the church's mission to embody Christ's love. [18:00]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:25] - Introduction to the Passage
[04:38] - Historical Context of the Head Tax
[06:54] - Jesus' Response to the Trap
[09:56] - The Coin and Its Inscription
[12:55] - Bearing God's Image
[15:16] - Our Inherent Value
[18:00] - Story of Mitchell
[20:00] - The Church's Role in Reflecting Christ's Love
[22:00] - Conclusion and Call to Trust in Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Mark 12:13-17

Observation Questions:
1. What was the intention behind the Pharisees and Herodians asking Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar? How did they try to trap Him? [02:25]
2. How did Jesus respond to the question about paying taxes, and what was the significance of His request for a denarius? [06:54]
3. What does Jesus' statement, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's," imply about our responsibilities in the world? [09:56]
4. How did the people react to Jesus' response, and what does this reveal about His wisdom? [09:56]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' response to the Pharisees and Herodians teach us about balancing our earthly responsibilities with our spiritual devotion? [06:54]
2. How does the concept of bearing God's image relate to our intrinsic value, despite life's challenges? [12:55]
3. In what ways does the story of Mitchell illustrate the transformative power of discovering one's identity in Christ? [18:00]
4. How can Jesus' teaching about rendering to God what is God's influence our understanding of our identity and purpose? [12:55]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt torn or crumpled by life's circumstances. How did your understanding of bearing God's image help you find your worth? [15:16]
2. In what ways can you engage with the world while keeping your hope anchored in Christ, especially in imperfect political and social systems? [06:54]
3. How can you actively participate in your community to reflect Christ's love, as seen in the story of Mitchell? What steps can you take this week? [18:00]
4. Consider your current responsibilities under earthly authorities. How can you fulfill these while maintaining your ultimate allegiance to God? [09:56]
5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to trust in Jesus' provision and grace. What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in Him? [09:56]
6. How can you remind yourself daily of your intrinsic value as a child of God, especially when facing external challenges? [15:16]
7. Think of someone in your life who might feel like an outsider, similar to Mitchell. How can you extend Christ's love to them this week? [18:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Balancing Earthly and Divine Allegiances
In Mark 12:13-17, Jesus is confronted with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, a question designed to trap him. The Pharisees and Herodians aim to corner Jesus, forcing him to choose between supporting Roman authority or inciting rebellion. Instead, Jesus asks for a denarius and points out Caesar's image on the coin, stating, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." This response highlights the dual responsibilities of living in a secular world while maintaining spiritual devotion. Jesus' wisdom transcends the political trap, emphasizing that while we live under earthly systems, our ultimate allegiance is to God. [06:54]

Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV): "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek the welfare of your community while ensuring your ultimate allegiance remains with God?


Day 2: Recognizing Our God-Given Value
Our value is not determined by external circumstances or how the world perceives us. Like a crumpled dollar bill, our worth remains because it is God-given. We bear God's image, and this intrinsic value cannot be diminished by life's challenges. Despite life's trials and the feeling of being crumpled or discarded, our value remains intact because it is God-given. This intrinsic worth is not diminished by external circumstances. [15:16]

Isaiah 43:1 (ESV): "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge that made you question your worth. How can you remind yourself today of your intrinsic value in God's eyes?


Day 3: Living in Alignment with Our Divine Identity
Jesus, the true King and Son of God, paid a price we could not, affirming our worth and calling us to live in alignment with our divine identity. This sacrificial act invites us to trust in His provision and grace, knowing that our lives are secure in Him. Jesus challenges us to consider whose image we bear. Just as the coin bears Caesar's image, we bear God's image. [09:56]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to live more fully in alignment with your identity as a child of God?


Day 4: Engaging with the World through Christ's Hope
Engaging with the world while keeping our hope anchored in Christ is essential. Political and social systems may fail, but our identity in Christ remains steadfast. We are called to be salt and light, participating in the world's brokenness with the hope of Christ. In a world filled with imperfect systems and leaders, Jesus calls us to engage with the world while keeping our hope anchored in Him. [12:55]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Identify one area in your community where you can be a light. How can you bring Christ's hope into that situation today?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of Christ's Love
The story of Mitchell illustrates the transformative power of Christ's love and the church's role in reflecting that love. As he discovers his identity in Christ, he finds a purpose and value that the world cannot offer, reminding us of the church's mission to embody Christ's love. This journey of faith is a testament to the enduring truth that our worth is rooted in being children of God, a truth that no earthly power can erase. [18:00]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience Christ's love. How can you intentionally reflect that love to them this week?

Quotes

"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? And they said to him, Caesar's. Jesus said to them this, this is the disappointing part, render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him. And everybody said, amen." [00:01:47]

"Jesus wants Christians to be involved in the brokenness of this world and participate with solutions that are sometimes not the best, but the best we can come up with and offer what we can do. He wants us to be salt and light in this culture, in this day, in this age. He doesn't want us to bow out because we don't have perfect solutions for imperfect situations." [00:08:09]

"When too much of our hopes get put in earthly things, they are misplaced, and we are disappointed again and again. Can I get a little bit of an amen? Turn to your neighbor and say, he's still not lying. Still not lying yet. Yeah. So he says, let me see that coin. Here's the fascinating thing about this. This is Jesus." [00:09:29]

"And Jesus, the true king, the true son of God, the real high priest, is holding this coin in front of the religious leaders who didn't even recognize him. And he says, give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. And they were amazed, they marveled. They couldn't believe the level of his teaching because he said, I mean, this is Caesar's, give it to him, it's his. But give to God what is God's." [00:10:44]

"There's a tax that you and I cannot pay because we don't know what it is. But the true king can. The true son of God can pay that price. The one to come, and also, contrasting himself with Caesar. Can this King Jesus be trusted? Can this King Jesus be depended upon? Can this Son of God, can you give him your life and be on solid ground?" [00:11:21]

"Have any of you ever felt torn up? Have you ever felt walked? Have you ever felt walked on? Have you ever felt crumpled up, like your life is just closing in around you? Have you ever felt discarded? Thrown in the gutter? You feel like you're all alone. Were you without value at that point? Or did someone have a better word for you?" [00:14:53]

"Is there an indelible mark on you? That means it can't be rubbed out, it can't be taken off of you. Is there a value that's in you that no one can take away? Why? Because you are a child of God. And that no matter what happens to you, Jesus says like, you are mine and you are created in my image." [00:15:33]

"You can render unto him what is already his, which is your life. And though you may feel wadded up, broken, disparaged, his name is still on you, no matter what. No matter what. And you are not without value because you didn't assign your value in the first place and the world didn't give it, the world can't take it away." [00:17:08]

"And I cannot wait to watch Mitchell discover his identity in Christ. And because he is in Christ, he has a value and a worth that cannot be washed away. And he actually has purpose for his life that he didn't even know he was missing before. And he's going to be able to tell stories about how Christ brought him to faith in a group of misfits as we told our stories of like, like how Jesus had saved us." [00:21:11]

"And we get to tell these stories about how all of us who felt, like wadded up, forgotten about, valueless, worthless, are reminded that we have value and it cannot be erased no matter what the world does. The world didn't give it. The world can't take it away. You are loved by Jesus." [00:21:51]

"Help us to see something new. Help us to be continually amazed with how you're calling us to live and to respond to your grace and your goodness. Sometimes it seems overwhelming, Jesus, but we're grateful. It's in Jesus' name that I pray, amen. So this is not a question about regular old taxes." [00:02:45]

"Jesus said to them this, this is the disappointing part, render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him. And everybody said, amen. Thank you, God, for your word. Thank you for the fact that no passage of scripture is without benefit to us." [00:01:58]

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Transcript
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