Who are you paying tribute to?

* Matthew 22:15-22
* Colossians 2:8-9
* John 8:44
* Hebrews 1:1-3
* Colossians 1:15
* Colossians 1:19

* Luke 12:15-21 Matthew sets the trap plainly. “Whose image and superscription?” exposes hearts that love the coin more than the King. Christ refuses their snare and gives the dividing line that still cuts: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” The coin bears Caesar. The human soul bears God. The question becomes simple and searching. Whose image marks a life?

The plot to “entangle him in his talk” only proves that hypocrisy plays at religion while fighting Christ. Hypocrisy is an actor under an assumed character. The masks may change, but the heart stays the same. False churches still send their disciples. Vain philosophy still steals saints through traditions of men. Colossians says all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ. John says the Word “tabernacled” among us. That same Lord upholds all things by the word of his power and stands as the only Door into God’s presence.

Christ’s word does not pass away. Lukewarm religion gets spewed out. The law does what it always does. It condemns, convicts, and leads the guilty to the Savior. The just shall live by faith, not by law. The coin teaches. Two images stand in conflict. The world lies under the wicked one. Satan still whispers, “Hath God said?” and still sells the old lie, “You will be as gods.” The belly still plays god. But the true Image stands before them. Tiberius claims “son of the divine Augustus.” The Father appoints the Son who is the brightness of glory and the express image of his person.

Hebrews calls the Son the very imprint. Like a signet pressed into wax, the Son shows the invisible God in visible form. Faith in his atoning blood restores image and renews character. New birth makes a new race. Born of flesh stays flesh. Born of the Spirit bears the family likeness. Fruit proves life. Speech betrays the spring. The Spirit does not curse himself. John 15 gives the pattern. Abide in the Vine. Word in, life out. Pruning hurts but it multiplies fruit.

Luke’s rich fool warns the hurried and the numb. Barns get bigger. Souls get summoned. “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Death fixes what life formed. The coin returns to Caesar. The image returns to God. So the call lands where Christ placed it. Whose image is on you?