Slideshow image

Whose Image Do We Bear?
Christian faith, civic responsibility, and the call of conscience.

“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus replied, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:17, 21).

The Pharisees and Herodians did not ask because they lacked an answer. They were testing Jesus, hoping to find fault in His response. Saint Augustine once told his listeners, “I am not telling you what you do not know; I am only reminding you of what you already know.” In the same way, Jesus called His questioners beyond clever argument and toward integrity, truth and faithfulness.

The coin in their hands bore Caesar’s image, but they were overlooking a greater truth: every human being bears the image of God. Jesus’ answer may be summarized this way: be a good citizen but never confuse your passport with your baptism. This also alludes to our Christian principles to live according to our Five Marks of Mission in the world. The coin is temporary; the image we bear is eternal. Christ therefore calls us to live responsibly in society while remembering that our deepest identity and highest loyalty belong to God.

During election season in North America, these questions might take on renewed urgency in us. And as municipal elections approach, we may also ask political questions of ourselves and of those seeking public office. But our quest for truth has to be genuine. Like Jesus, we must respond with wisdom, honesty, and faithfulness. Our task is not merely to choose a side, but to remember whose image we bear. We are called to participate responsibly in public life without surrendering our conscience, our truth, or our devotion to God.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Reverend Wilson Akinwale