Hungry for God: In His Image

“And they brought one. And He said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said to Him, ‘Caesar's.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.’ And they marveled at Him”—Mark 12:16-17.

Did you know that God made you? As the Bible says, “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb”—Psalm 139:13. He loved you so much that He sent His Son to die for you (cf. John 3:16), who paid the price for you (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23) and who ransomed you from your former way of life (cf. 1 Peter 1:18).

When the religious leaders came to Jesus trying to trick Him, He recognized their deception immediately. Asking for a denarius He asked the question, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They responded, “Caesar.” Jesus then said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” A denarius did indeed have Caesar’s likeness on it, showing that it was his. But man is made in the image or likeness of God and should give God that which is most valuable—himself.

Recognize that God made you for Himself and your heart will find no rest until it finds it in Him. He made you to glorify His name, to radiate His glory, and to joyously reflect back to Him the radiance of His worth.

Jesus’ died to save you because you are infinitely valuable to God, therefore since God paid such a costly price by giving His Son to die in your place then know that such a price is of infinite value that nothing on this earth could ever equal. Marvel at His magnificent gift and bask in the knowledge that if God would pay this kind of price for you, then you can only respond in loving obedience, joyously serving and honoring Him with your life. Amen.