Whose Face is on the Coin?

In this message from the Inquisition series, we explore Jesus’ brilliant and subversive response to the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?”—a moment recorded in Matthew 22, Luke 20, and Mark 12. What seems like a trap from the Pharisees and Herodians becomes a powerful teaching on identity, allegiance, and the nature of God’s kingdom. By asking, “Whose image is on the coin?” Jesus redirects the conversation entirely—and invites us to consider whose image is on us.

This sermon dives deep into the historical and political tension of Roman-occupied Judea, the meaning behind Jesus’ words, and the radical call to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s—but to give to God what belongs to Him: our whole lives. In a world filled with competing kingdoms and ideologies, this message reminds us where our true citizenship lies—the Kingdom of Heaven.