Daily Radio Bible - March 4th, 22

 GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S

Deuteronomy 1 -2 , Mark 12

They tried to trap Jesus in questions about the two-faced idol of money and politics.  It’s so easy for us to be trapped.  But Jesus won’t be trapped by these idols.  He calls for them to show him a coin. 

“Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”  

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

 “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them. (Mk 12:16-17 NLT)

The coin belongs to Caesar but there’s something else that belongs to God.  What is it? Jesus wants you to know that you belong to Him.  God has put his imprint, his image, on you.  Therefore, you belong to him.  The Heidelberg catechism from the 15th century begins with this question:  What is our only hope in life and death?  The answer is:  We are not our own but belong to God. Let there be no doubt, you are God’s, your are his Child, you are family. There is no getting out of it.  And you are not to blame, it was all God.  

You, Christian, belong to God.  And Jesus says, Give to God what belongs to God.  So our duty is to return back to the Lord all that is his.  And that would be us.  If we do that, we can avoid the traps and idols of this world, including the idols of money, politics and power.  And, instead, we can find our true life in him.

As I give my life to him I find my truest life, my truest joy. Give to God what is God’s. Give yourself to him. Your real life is hidden with 

God in Christ.  This is the truth of your being.  Now lets live in it.  

You are loved!