Monday, March 27, 2023

Listen to the Word

Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. (Mark 12:17)

In today’s Scripture, Jesus responds to a question about whether or not it is appropriate to pay taxes to the government. In answering, he provides a principle that is much needed in our day: we owe a certain type of allegiance to the government, and a certain type of allegiance to God.

One of the most troubling temptations plaguing American Christians is the temptation to give to Caesar what is God’s. Many seem to be convinced that their salvation depends on a political figure. They have become persuaded that their only hope is that their candidate, or their political party, has to be in power. They are more discipled by their cable news choice than by Scripture, and they give adoration to a politician that rightly belongs only to Jesus. They have given to Caesar what is God’s.

Live the Word

Ask Jesus to remind you that only he can save, and ask for forgiveness for expecting salvation to come from a politician.