Key Passage
Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. And give to God the things that are God’s.” The men were amazed at what Jesus said.
— Mark 12:17 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus’ answer was as simple as it was profound. Jesus refused to get caught in their debate, but instead placed the responsibility on each of us to decide what is “Caesar’s” and what is God’s. Jesus spoke with a convicting simplicity that challenged men and women to take responsibility for honoring God, for living responsibly with others, and for honoring our earthly citizenship in holy and honorable ways. Jesus’ words still speak to us. What are they challenging you to do today?
Prayer
O Father, the responsibilities of my earthly citizenship and my heavenly one sometimes pull me in different directions. Please help me know what is “Caesar’s” and what is yours! I want to live honorably in my earthly homeland and show myself a good citizen. However, dear Father, I never want to do anything that would compromise my clear allegiance to you. Give me wisdom as I seek to live as an example of your grace, your holy character, and your holy wisdom before others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Scriptures
But our homeland is in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior to come from heaven. Our Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this by his power. With that power Christ is able to rule all things.
— Philippians 3:20-21
Here on earth we don’t have a city that continues forever. But we are waiting for the city that we will have in the future.
— Hebrews 13:14
Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers {in this world}. So I beg you to stay away from the evil things your bodies want to do. These things fight against your soul. People who don’t believe are living all around you. Those people may say that you are doing wrong. So live good lives. Then they will see the good things you do, and they will give glory to God on that day when he comes. Obey the people who have authority in this world. Do this for the Lord. Obey the king who is the highest authority. And obey the leaders who are sent by the king. They are sent to punish people who do wrong and to praise those people who do good.
— 1 Peter 2:11-14
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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