In whose image???

Matthew 22:15-22 presents some interesting points.

The question of the Pharisees to Jesus..."Is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman, or not?" If Jesus says 'Yes' then he can be sidelined with the Zealots and defined as a traitor to Rome. If he says 'No' then he betrays his own people. Tricky question.

Jesus' request for a coin is also interesting. The coin carried the imprint of Caesar and words implying his divine nature. Therefore it was in breach of the first 2 Commandments of the Torah. So how is it that the Pharisees and their crew just happened to have the necessary coinage. By rights, no Jew could handle the money without being made unclean or breaking the Commandments. A whiff of hypocrisy and compromise perhaps.

Jesus' answer is, quite frankly, of little help. Just what does belong to Caesar? Doesn't everything belong to God?? Isn't he the one who appoints the authorities and allow rulers to rule??? So is Jesus really speaking of the division between church and state, as if one can actually make such a divide?

Spirituality and spiritual beliefs are intrinsic to our nature, our being, our lives. Just as they are intrinsic to the world and universe we live in. To attempt to somehow separate them from earthly rulers and authorities, or from taxes and other economic forces is foolishness. Just maybe Jesus' comment is not so much about division as it is about identity. It's not so much about whose image is found on the coin as it is whose image is found on you and me. Intriguing thought...

I may have been created in God's image, but in whose image am I living now?