The King Without A Coin

Big Idea: One is to give to God what belongs to Him—oneself. Summary: In Luke 20:19-26 the religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus by spying on him and pinning him down with an ‘either-or’ question. Through the issue of “tribute” tax they hope to condemn Jesus either to the Romans politically or the Jews religiously. The king without a coin asks to borrow one so he can teach us something we all tend to miss. Jesus wisely responds to their ‘either-or’ question with a ‘both-and.’ This passage is not primarily about what is owed to the state, but what is owed to God (much like the vineyard owner and the fruit that was rightfully his - Luke 20:9-18). The real questions is this: “Since you have the image and likeness of God inscribed on you, have you given to God what is his?” Next Steps: Consider the following questions as you read the Scripture and listen to the sermon: What does this section mean? What does it teach about God? What does it teach about Jesus and the gospel? What is my next step as a follower of Jesus?