Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 8Sample

“Well then,” He told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Luke 20:25

If you look at v.25 in the context of Luke 20, the religious are addressed by Jesus. Why? They have received so many "riches" regarding scripture, the rich, wonderful history of the Jewish people with God, seeing His works, experiencing His provision, and so much more.

But they withheld the glorious truths that God revealed and intended for all His people. How? They themselves rejected what God intended. They misused their religious authority by exalting themselves high above the people of God. This resulted in a people who had forgotten the taste of the sweetness that is from God because they were burdened by their inability to live up to the standards that were set by the religious leaders.

Through all His conversations, Jesus had this in mind: God loves people and He wants them to see it, to know it, to feel it, to experience it, and be gloriously changed by it. Jesus had Heaven in mind during this discussion with the religious. The religious, on the other hand, have been corrupted by their love for money as well as their desire for dominance. And thus, tried using strategies in their quest to arrest Jesus. Because Jesus had no desire whatsoever for that which is from this world, His reply was clear: "Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." What He said here is, give to the world what belongs to the world, give to God what belongs to Him. What belongs to God? The people, those He made, those He so deeply loves.

Today, Jesus is still speaking, and to us He says give that which belongs to the world to the world. Don't hold grudges, don't hold anything back. And He says, give your life in exchange for Mine because you belong to my Father, the one who knows everything about you and loves you with everything inside Him.