image-conscious
"Whose head is this and whose inscription is it?" —Mark 12:16
The Pharisees and Herodians were able to identify the owner of the Roman coin because of "the stamp" on it. The seal on the coin marked it as belonging to Caesar.
When we were baptized into Christ, we too were stamped with an image, "sealed" with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 1:22). We were "formed anew in the image of [our] Creator" (Col 3:10), and now we "share the image of His Son," Jesus (Rm 8:29). God marked us with His own seal to identify us as His property (Rm 14:8). Isn't this amazing? The same God Who forbade the making of any graven images out of concern for our falling into idol worship (see Ex 20:4) has now engraved His very own seal upon us (Eph 4:30).
Are you aware that you are marked with the seal of God? Can others tell Who you belong to merely by looking at you? If not, polish up your image. Concentrate on your Owner and gaze "on the Lord's glory." Then you will be "transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18).
Prayer: Father, may all who see me think of You.
Promise: "Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed." —Ps 112:1-2
Praise: A silent prayer for another child after years of infertility resulted in the birth of a son just ten months later.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 18, 2013
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