Woven throughout the Bible is the understanding that humanity is created in the image of God. The first biblical reference of humans being created in the image of God, also referred to by the Latin words for divine image, imago Dei, is found in Genesis 1:26-27.
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in God’s image, in the image of God, he created them; male and female God created them.”
To appreciate the biblical concept of imago Dei, it is important to note that the opening
biblical story of creation does not teach that God created humanity to be the image of God for
God’s creation. Instead, the story teaches that God created humanity to bear the image of God to God’s creation. What the story does not teach is that humans are co-creators with God since we were created in God’s image. What the story does teach is that humans are chosen by God to bear the image of God as stewards of all that God has created.
In addition to the account of imago Dei in Genesis 1:26-27, there are five other times in
the Bible where imago Dei is found:
Genesis 5:1 where Adam’s descendants are listed:
“This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind, he made
them in the likeness of God.”
Genesis 9:6 where God makes a covenant with Noah and his sons after the Great Flood.
“For in God’s own image God made humankind.”
I Corinthians 11:7 where Paul addresses a cultural concern in the Corinthian Church
related to head coverings:
“For a man ought not to have his head veiled sinch he is the image and reflection of God.”
Colossians 3:10 where the Colossian Christians are encouraged to live with new life in
Christ:
“… and have clothed yourself with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
according to the image of its creator.”
James 3:9 where Christians are admonished to speak respectfully of others by taming the
tongue:
“With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the
likeness of God.”
Although there are only six references to humankind bearing the image of God in the
Bible, the concept of humankind being chosen by the God of creation to bear the image of the
God of creation is a foundational concept of the biblical story of faith. Woven throughout the
story of God’s relationship with humanity is the biblical truth that all humans bear the image of God. It is this biblical truth that provides the foundation for followers of Jesus to be chosen as stewards of the story of God’s creation as well as stewards of the story of God’s salvation.
In the third century, an attorney named Cyprian, who would later become the first bishop to be martyred in Africa, wrote to his friend, Donatus about being a steward of God’s salvation as he confessed faith in Jesus:
“This seems like a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see. Brigands on the high road, pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds, under all roofs, misery and selfishness. It is really a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. “Yet, in the midst of it, I have found a quiet and holy people. They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians … and I am one of them.”
The Pharisees and the Herodians were at opposite ends of the political spectrum. The goal of the Pharisees was to live under the religious law of Israel as defined by the Torah. The goal of the Herodians was to live under the rule of the Roman government through the reign of Herod who was appointed by Roman Emperor Tiberias Caesar to govern over the region of Galilee where Jesus began his ministry. Sometimes called King Herod in the New Testament, Herod built a new capital for Galilee on the west side of the Sea of Galilee that was named Tiberias, in honor of Tiberias Caesar. It had a stadium, hot baths, and an ornate palace, but because it was supposedly built over a Jewish cemetery, many devout Jews refused to enter Tiberias.
Although the Pharisees and the Herodians were at opposite ends of the political spectrum and although they agreed about one common goal, getting rid of Jesus. Alarmed by the threat that Jesus posed to their goals, the Pharisees and the Herodians formed an alliance as they asked Jesus a question that was designed to reinforce their own agendas:
Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
The purpose of the question that the Pharisees and Herodians asked Jesus was found in the intent of their question as they identified Jesus as a teacher. Like all political questions, the intent of their question was to force Jesus to answer their question by reinforcing their own political agendas while discrediting their opponent. Either a yes or no answer would have discredited Jesus as a teacher. A “no it is not lawful” answer would have identified Jesus as teaching the Jews not to pay taxes to Rome. A “yes, it is lawful” answer would have identified Jesus as teaching loyalty to the Roman government.
The intent of the question asked by the Pharisees and the Herodians was to destroy Jesus’ identity as a teacher of God. Jesus realized the intent of their question as he asked a question of his own, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites” as he asked for a denarius, a Roman coin, that was used to pay taxes to Rome. On one side of this coin would have been Caesar’s likeness and on the other side of the coin would have been Caesar’s title and divine status: “Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus.” Jesus answered the question about the lawfulness of paying taxes to Caesar by asking the question, “Whose head is on this and whose title?”
When the Pharisees and the Herodians answered, “Caesar’s.” Jesus, the Good Teacher taught that they should “give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
Being a good teacher, Jesus taught the Pharisees and Herodians that the real question they should be asking is how they were choosing to bear the image of God through their lives.
It is the same question Jesus asks of us.
The Image of God
by Pastor Marc Brown
October 22, 2023
Accompanying Scriptures: Matthew 22:15-22
Fort Hill United Methodist Church
Order of Worship for October 22, 2023
Scripture Lesson Matthew 22:15-22
The Good News “The Image of God”
Music “How Firm a Foundation” Hymn #529
Prayer
Blessing
Closing Music “A Joyful Song” by Hugh S. Livingston
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