You know the story. Pharisees try to trap Jesus by getting Him to say they should not support the Roman government by paying taxes. He asks for a coin, determines whose image is on it, and says to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Luke 20:25)

The star of the story seems to be the coin. It’s the part you give to “Caesar.”

That’s wrong.

The star is Jesus. And I forget too often that His point is not the part you render to Caesar, but the more important thing, the part you render to God — “the things that are God’s.”

All things are God’s. Even (as it turns out) the things that are Caesar’s. Because God’s image is embedded in every piece of His creation. He made even Caesar.

April 15 we are called to account for our rendering to Caesar.

But someday — on “the day that is called Today — we will be called to account for our rendering to God.

Caesar and Jesus both died. But only one rose from His death.

Render unto God the things that are God’s. April 15, 16, 17 and forever.