Mark 12:13-17

Be Still:
Lord, help me to be still before you. Help me to listen. Help me to receive. I ask you to transform my heart and my mind as I choose to spend this time with you today. 

Read: Mark 12:13-17


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. (v17)

Encounter:
The Pharisees and Herodians came to trap Jesus with a loaded question: should they pay taxes to Caesar or not? If Jesus said yes, he risked angering the Jewish people who resented Roman rule. If he said no, he could be accused of rebellion against Rome. But Jesus’ answer cut through their trap: ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s – and to God what is God’s.’

With those words, Jesus reframed the whole debate. Yes, we live in the world and have responsibilities to earthly authorities, paying taxes, obeying laws, respecting leadership. But our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Our money may bear another image, but we bear God’s image. Our very lives belong to him.

This isn’t just about politics or taxes. It’s about ownership. Jesus is saying: give the temporary things to the temporary rulers, but give the eternal part of you, your worship, your love, your loyalty to God. Nothing and no-one else are worthy of that.

Apply:
Think today about where your ultimate allegiance lies. Do your decisions, priorities, and actions reflect that your life belongs to God? Ask him to show you if there’s any area where you’ve been giving to ‘Caesar’ what rightfully belongs to God.

Devote:Lord, thank you for your wisdom that shows up traps and reveals truth. Help me to live faithfully in this world, honouring my responsibilities, but never confusing them with my highest calling. My life, my worship, my heart – they all belong to you. Teach me to give back to you what is yours: everything.