Image seems to be everything these days. In social media you have to get that profile picture just right so people will friend you, add you, follow you, swipe you, like you – after that I’m not sure what’s next. If you’re a public figure you have to make sure your public image is kept clean especially these days with the ability to go back on the internet to find pictures or stories about you that can come back to haunt you. And we know how many politicians and celebrities have been brought down because of their public image being tarnished from 20 or 30 years ago. We used to have a phenomenon called “Tall Poppy Syndrome” where while it was exciting watching a person rise to the top of their field – if they got too successful and too boastful we would look for opportunities to bring them down – like a child who sees a tall poppy a feels the need to kick it. More modern is the phenomenon called “Cancel Culture” where we are not satisfied with just smearing a person’s image we have to make sure they leave in disgrace. Image is important.
Today Jesus’s image is inflated by the Pharisees: “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. You just feel there’s a “BUT” coming soon. And sure enough we’re told that the Pharisees intention was a plot to entrap Jesus. Tell us, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not. They’re trying to get Jesus with one of those – damned if you do and damned if you don’t scenarios. Much like Jesus caught them out regarding John’s Baptism – was it of human origin or from God. Whatever answer they gave they were doomed. If it was from God then why didn’t you believe him. If it was from human origin they were afraid of a revolt. Likewise if Jesus says it is right to pay taxes to Caesar he could lose followers who were hoping that Jesus would lead a revolution against the Roman rule. If he says it is not right he could face charges of treason against the Romans. Brilliant as always, Jesus turns the tables on them. Whose image is printed on the coin. They say – Caesar’s. So, Jesus says, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God.
So the question is – what belongs to God? Where is God’s image imprinted? Well, we go back to the beginning of creation in Genesis chapter one. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them – in his own image. What belongs to God – we do. Where is God’s image imprinted? In us. Our very lives. As St Paul also testifies in 1 Corinthians: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. And again, Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
It’s interesting watching our grandson growing up. As he gets older and more interactive you begin to observe similarities in looks and actions not just with parents but also as grandparents. This includes both looks and behaviors. They copy things you do but also some natural instinct behaviours are noticed because they are family. And, in a sense, this is what Jesus is referring to in the 2nd part of his answer. We render to Caesar what is Caesar’s because the coin has his image on it. But we also offer to God what has his image on it – ourselves – our very lives. This is what Jesus sums up as the greatest commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your hearts, soul, mind and strength. And, love your neighbour as yourself because your neighbour also bears God’s image as you do. As John says – how can we love God whom we have not seen if we cannot love our neighbour whom we can see.
And so the way we treat one another reflects on our love for God. That’s why when Jesus asked, what is the greatest commandment – another attempt to trap him – he again brilliantly answered this by saying – love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. He didn’t have to choose one of the 10 commandments above the other because LOVE for God and neighbour ensured we kept all of them. The reason I don’t steal from my neighbour is not because God’s commandment forbids me to do so or because I fear punishment if I’m caught. No, I don’t steal from my neighbour because I love them and don’t want to hurt them. And because they are created in God’s image I don’t want to hurt God either. And every single commandment or law can be kept in such a manner. Even if we’re not sure which commandment applies to a certain situation – or we’re not even sure if it’s against God’s will then we can apply this measure – is it hurting my neighbour? Is it going to reflect poorly on God’s image?
Did you know that it is an offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate or destroy Australian banknotes or coins? It incurs a hefty fine and up to 2 years imprisonment. God values human life even more. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. All life belongs to God and God values life as he has imprinted his own image onto each and every person. And we are called to respect that in ourselves and in every person. Do not ever undervalue yourself. You were bought at a very hefty price – not with silver or gold but with the life of God’s one and only Son.
Do not ever undervalue your neighbour because they are your brother or sister in Christ. Which is why God commands us to love our neighbour as ourself – because we are one in Christ – in the image of God. Even though sin marred our relationship with God we never lost God’s love for us. Sin put a barrier between us an God that did not allow Moses to look at God’s face an live. But at Jesus death, as the temple curtain was torn in two – Jesus opened up our access to God. So much so that we don’t just look at God’s face but we receive his Son’s body and blood into our hands. We are able to hold God’s Holy Word in our hands and through that word and water become his children with full inheritance restored. Even the angels see us as if they are staring into God’s face as Jesus says in Matthew 18. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
So when you look around you – see what God sees in your neighbour. When you look in the mirror – see what God sees.
As Paul says in 2 Corinthians: We reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. His own image – an image he loves so much that he sacrificed his one and only son so he could have you in heaven with him.
