Mark 12:17-34
What Belongs to God?
In Mark 12:17, Jesus makes a profound statement: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” At first glance, this seems like a simple instruction about paying taxes, but it carries a much deeper truth about our identity and our relationship with God.
The Roman coin bore the image of Caesar, indicating that it belonged to him. But what about us? Whose image do we bear? Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are made in the image of God. If the coin belongs to Caesar because it bears his image, then we belong to God because we bear His image. This is the foundation of our identity—we were created to reflect Him, to live in relationship with Him, and to give Him what is rightfully His: our love, our worship, and our very lives.
But if we are honest, many of us struggle with giving ourselves fully to God. We often divide our allegiance, giving parts of ourselves to the world—our time, our attention, our affections—while neglecting the One to whom we truly belong. Jesus’ words challenge us: Are we holding back parts of ourselves from God? Have we allowed the world to define our identity instead of embracing the truth that we are His?
Understanding God and Life Through His Word
When the Sadducees questioned Jesus about the resurrection, they were not sincerely seeking truth. They had already decided that there was no resurrection, and they twisted Scripture to support their view. In response, Jesus tells them, “You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” (Mark 12:24). What a powerful rebuke!
Many times, we do the same thing. Instead of allowing God’s Word to shape our beliefs, we try to shape God’s Word to fit our own understanding. But Jesus reminds us that our knowledge of God and life itself must be grounded in Scripture and in His power.
When we doubt, when we fear, when we struggle with understanding God’s plan, we must return to His Word. It is through Scripture that we come to know who God truly is—not as we imagine Him to be, but as He has revealed Himself. And when we do, we find that He is a God of life, not death. He is a God of resurrection, of renewal, of hope. His power is not limited by human reasoning; His authority is not bound by earthly limitations. When we truly know God, we trust Him, even when we do not fully understand.
Loving God and Loving Others
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus points to love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). This is the essence of what it means to belong to God. Love is not just an emotion; it is total commitment, total loyalty, total surrender.
To love God is to obey Him, to seek Him above all else, to give Him every part of our lives. And that love is not meant to be kept to ourselves—it must flow outward to others. True faith is not just about religious rituals or personal piety; it is about how we treat the people around us. Are we showing compassion? Are we seeking justice? Are we forgiving as we have been forgiven? The love of God should shape every relationship, every action, every priority.
This is the life Jesus calls us to—a life where our identity is rooted in Him, where our understanding is shaped by His Word, and where our motivation is love. But none of this is possible until we surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord.
A Challenge to Seek Jesus in a New Way
Are you giving God what belongs to Him—your whole heart, your whole life? Are you seeking to know Him through His Word, or are you trying to fit Him into your own understanding? Are you living out His love in real, tangible ways?
Today, take a moment to reflect. Ask God to show you the areas of your life where you have held back from Him. Open His Word and seek to know Him as He truly is. And let His love transform the way you live—so that your life may reflect His image, His truth, and His glory.
“Give to God what is God’s.” – Mark 12:17
