In one of Jesus’ most famous—and most frequently domesticated—exchanges, the Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Him with a question about Caesar. But Jesus turns the trap back on them—and on us. Greg and Stephanie Schlueter unpack Matthew 22:15–21 beyond the familiar “Church and state” reading to reveal a far more personal and unsettling question: What does my life actually reveal about whom I belong to?
Why the Pharisees and Herodians make such unlikely—and revealing—allies
How people can speak perfectly true words about Jesus while refusing to surrender to the Truth
The dangerous shift Jesus makes from “What is lawful?” to “Whose is it?”
Why the coin already in their hands exposes far more than their question
Caesar bears an image on the coin—but you bear the image of God
Why “Render unto Caesar” does not create two equal sovereignties: Caesar’s claim is real, but radically limited
The uncomfortable question for faithful Catholics: Have we given God ourselves—or merely been paying Him a religious tax?
How Mass, prayer, Catholic teaching and religious practice can coexist with large territories of life we still call “mine”
The final irony: while they examine Caesar’s image, they are standing before Christ—the image of the invisible God
The ultimate examination: Which image governs my mind, my body, my marriage, my sexuality, my money, my children, my ambitions, my politics—and my future?
The coin belongs to Caesar because it bears Caesar’s image. You bear the image of God. The question is no longer simply, “What do I owe?” but: “Have I given back to God what belongs to Him—my entire life?”
Truth is a Person. Freedom is found in Him. Live IT. At the heart of IT all is God’s reminder: We Image the Trinity.
That’s the IT.
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Hear His voice. Live IT.
WELCOME TO ROCK OF SAGES
🌹Twelve Roses—Anna’s life is unraveling. Alone, pregnant, and grappling with a broken heart. On December 12th, she awakes to the weight of decisions she can’t face. Until the roses begin to appear.
🐽The Magnificent Piglets of Pigletsville—our present-day plight wrapped in a fairytale, accurately foretelling in detail the most consequential events that have unfolded in recent years.
🎠 Ride of a Lifetime—a captivating children’s book set in an amusement park, honoring parents and grandparents who paved our rides on earth and into eternity. Listen to the story set to beautiful illustrations and the soundtrack.
🔥 Primal Fire—a cinematic novella inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, alongside a 15-track rock soundtrack (Primal Fire).
👑Help us share the story of Slaying Giants—learn more at SlayingGiants.us
