17 Then Jesus said to them, ‘GIVE … TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S.’ Mark 12
Twice in Mark 12 Jesus speaks of coins or money and draws out deeper meanings to those around Him in both instances. The religious leaders sent some of their members, no doubt clever and plausible ones, to try and entrap Jesus in His words. HOW TRYING IT MUST HAVE BEEN in the midst of all the crowds of people to have to be on His guard, against those who appeared one way, but were actually something very different. (We had a Yodel Delivery at our home just now and the driver said that as he came down the driveway A FOX, WHICH HAD BEEN SLEEPING AMONG THE SHEEP, wakened up and ran off. What does that signify I wonder? The little foxes spoil the vines. Song of Songs 2:15 We too need to guard our boundaries from the foxes!)
First of all the men tried to flatter Jesus by praising his integrity, before they sprang their trap.
You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?’ John 12
But Jesus showed Divine Wisdom in His answer. He told them to bring Him a coin and asked whose inscription was on it; Caesar’s.
17 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and TO GOD WHAT IS GOD’S.’
And they were amazed at him. (They were baffled TLB, They were speechless MSG) Mark 12
The second mention of coins in the chapter occurred at the Temple Treasury, where people were giving their offerings.
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. (He didn’t criticise them) 42 But a poor widow came and PUT IN TWO very small copper coins, worth only a few pence. Mark 12
The poor lady had two small coins, she could have kept one. Jesus drew attention to the fact that the better off people were holding back money for themselves. This poor woman was unique, perhaps her last coin wasn’t worth keeping, but He praised her wholehearted giving.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.’
He didn’t just watch what she’d done, He called His disciples to tell them what she’d done. IT WAS A LESSON FOR EVERYONE.
Jesus used earthly things to share Divine Truth, usually the direct opposite of this world’s values, especially regarding money. A lot of wealthy people may get a shock when they find out how Heaven views their giving and a lot of poor people may also get a pleasant surprise. Jesus said even giving a cup of water in His Name would be rewarded. Mark 9:41
God bless and keep you today.