Inspire 21-Day Devotional: Illuminating God's Wordਨਮੂਨਾ

WEEK 3, DAY 7: WHERE DID THE BIBLE COME FROM?

Rome

The Greeks gave the Mediterranean world a common culture and language. The Romans gave it roads and stability. Like Greece, Rome had its own motivations for these charitable gifts. Reliable roads encouraged commerce and made travel widely accessible,yes. At the same time, they provided a steady stream of revenue (via a toll tax) and allowed Roman legions to respond quickly in the event of an uprising. And while many historians refer to the nearly two-century long period that began with Augustus Caesar’s ascension to the throne as the Pax Romana—Latin for “Roman peace”—, this “peace” applied only to those who submitted to Rome’s government and paid their taxes to Caesar.

It was in this Roman world—more precisely, in the 1st-century Roman province of Judaea—that the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus in his words; “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Their question was simple yet filled with malice. The Pharisees held that Jews should not pay taxes since their very coins were engraved with an image of Caesar, a clear violation of the Second Commandment. On the other hand, the Herodians, aristocratic Jews who benefitted from their loyalty to Rome, had no such qualms. They were more concerned that not paying taxes would bring down the force of Roman military. Which side would Jesus take? Either way, there would be wrath to face, whether it be for violating Roman law or for violating the Pharisees’ interpretation of Jewish law.

Jesus’ response was simple yet filled with wisdom. “Whose likeness and image is this?” he asked, pointing to the denarius they were hypocritically holding in their hands. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” In just a few words, Jesus had answered their question and reframed it to hit on the deeper issue at stake: true freedom for the Jews would not come from being free from Roman rule and taxes. Rather, it would come from giving to God what was due him from those who were made in his image and likeness. Had the Pharisees and Herodians been faithful in this? Their response says it all.

Artifact: Roman Denar of Titus

Did you know the Museum of the Bible houses a rare coins collection on permanent loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority? Included in this collection is a Roman denar—a term that is rendered denarius in Greek—with the portrait of Titus which was minted in the 1st century AD. Before his reign as Caesar, Titus had overseen the destruction of the Second Temple, acting as the Roman General. The term denar, which derives from the Latin den (which is where we get our English, “ten”), lives on in the word dinero, the standard Spanish word for “money.” When Jesus answered the Pharisees’ question about paying taxes to Rome, it was this same denar but with the portrait of another Caesar (Tiberius) on it.

Q1. What are the main themes or ideas of the Scripture passage?

Q2. What does this devotional tell me about who God is?

Q3. How does this devotional challenge or encourage me?

Q4. What specific action can I take to live out this teaching?

Q5. Who should I share this with for encouragement or accountability?

Continue your devotional journey!

In this guide, we have used the S.O.A.P.S. method, a simple yet powerful tool to help you engage deeply with Scripture. S.O.A.P.S. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, and Share. This inductive Bible study approach encourages you to not just read the Bible, but to reflect on it, apply it to your life in meaningful ways, and share it with others. Here’s how you can use this method each day:

S - Scripture

Begin by reading a Bible passage for the day. Take your time with the text, and if necessary, read it more than once. As you read, pay close attention to what stands out to you. It might be a word, a phrase, or a theme that catches your attention.

• What are the main themes or key ideas of the Scripture passage?

O - Observation

Next, observe the passage carefully. Be thorough and curious—this is where you’ll begin to dig deeper into the meaning of the text.

• What do you learn about God, others, or your life from this passage?

A - Application

Take a moment to reflect on practical ways you can apply what you’ve learned. Write down any insights or action steps that come to mind.

• How does this passage challenge or encourage me?
• What specific action can I take to live out this teaching?

P - Prayer

Finally, close with prayer. Thank God for speaking to you through His Word and ask Him for the strength to apply the lessons you’ve learned. Share any thoughts, struggles, or desires you have with Him—He wants to hear from you.

S - Share

Now, share what you’ve learned with someone else! This step helps you solidify the truths you've discovered and gives you an opportunity to encourage others.

• Who should I share this with today for encouragement or accountability?

By following the S.O.A.P.S. method each day, you’ll not only deepen your own relationship with God through His Word, but you’ll also build accountability and community around the truths you’re learning. This devotional has been designed as an introduction to a step-by-step approach through inductive Bible study, and to help you live out and share the insights God reveals to you.

Enjoy your time in Scripture, and may God bless you as you grow in His Word and share it with others!

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