"Whose Image and Inscription is on this coin?", the senior sermon of Rohani Weger, of the Diocese of Southeast Florida, given on December 6, 2006, in Christ Chapel

Today’s text is a familiar one. Show me a denarius, Jesus says. Whose head and whose title does it bear? Another translation puts it “ Whose image and inscription does it have?” (New King James) . . . Whose image and inscription is on this coin?

This scene takes place in Holy Week. Jesus has ridden into Jerusalem and has driven the money changers from the temple. He has just told the parable of the wicked tenants, which, Luke tells us, the scribes and chief priests understood to be about them. . . So it is no surprise that the temple authorities try to discredit him. They question him on a point of law.

What follows is a kind of debate typical in the first century: A question is asked of the rabbi. He answers with a counter-question. The questioner answers. The rabbi then uses that answer to refute the first question. When the question pertained to a point of law, the rabbis usually based their ruling on the Hebrew Scriptures. (David T. Ball. “What Jesus really meant by ‘Render unto Caesar’” Bible Review April 2003. pp 15-17.)

So First question: Is it lawful to pay taxes? Counter question: Whose image and inscription is on the coin? They answer Caesar’s. To which Jesus replies the famous line: Give to Caesar what belong to Caesar and give to God the things that are God’s.

Well then, what belongs to God? Everything, of course. Why even bring it up? Jesus is obviously saying more than pay your taxes. We can find a clue to his answer in the question he asks.

Whose image and inscription is on this coin?

The Denarias had the face and name of Caesar stamped on it. So what would be the image and inscription of God? What scripture might Jesus be referring to?

Well, the image of God is easy. “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 2:27.

And God’s inscription? Moses tells the Israelites several times in Exodus to inscribe God’s law where they could always see it. On doorposts and gates, even as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead.” (Exodus 13:9) These inscriptions reminded the Jews that they were the people of God.

“Think about who you are” Jesus tells his listeners, “Your life, whose image and inscription does it bear?”

Whose image and inscription is on this coin?

But, before we judge the first century questioners, let us examine ourselves.

Today is the saint day of St. Nicholas. He is known as a saint who loved children and cared for the poor. He was bishop during the time of the Emperor Diocletian and suffered imprisonment for his faith. His saint day is honored from Aruba to Turkey with anything from gift giving and parties to a visit from the Saint himself. When my daughter was first born, I had plans to celebrate St. Nicholas day instead of doing “the whole Santa Claus thing.” That way Christmas could focus more on Jesus. Of course, the American culture being what it is, our kids our surrounded with the enticement of Santa Claus. And, as it turns out, my family celebrates St. Nicholas day on the 6 th and we also have stockings from Santa Claus Christmas day.

Whose image and inscription is on this coin?

So, what is Christmas? In this country, Thanksgiving weekend officially starts the "race to Christmas" where we are told to think of "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all people" while frantically trying to buy Christmas gifts, attend Christmas parties and write Christmas cards. This year we are writing papers as well! What is called the "holiday season" turns out to be the most stressful time of the year.

What is the Christian celebration of Christmas? We talked about that in our Ethics class one day. Some of us try to give “alternative” type gifts. Others emphasize worship Christmas Eve and feasting Christmas day. I’m not sure there is “one right way” to celebrate Christmas. Each of us brings our own family traditions to the celebration.

Friends of mine who were missionaries in a tribal group in Indonesia asked the new Christians to decide how they would like to celebrate Christmas? What was the best way for them to welcome Christ according to their culture?

Perhaps that is the central question we need to answer. How do we welcome Christ in our culture? Certainly spending time with family, feasting and gifts are not anti-Christian in themselves but they can become distractions, unrealistic expectations. How should we celebrate Christmas?

Whose image and inscription is on this coin?

Now it is Advent. Happy New Year! Isn’t it nice that we the church start our new year a month early? Instead of the frantic New Year's resolutions, we set aside the time of Advent to

reflect. . . to be ready. That gives us a whole month to practice the good habits we hope to have next year.

Our church tradition gives us a gift - most people today have no idea what Advent is. Yet what better way to remember, to re-live the significance of Jesus’ incarnation. To remind ourselves who we are and what we are doing here. In what ways will we prepare our hearts for the coming, the Advent of Jesus?

Whose image and inscription is on this coin? Amen.