Our souls are his
Reflecting on the human Jesus, we can quickly envision the physical Jesus, but we seldom stop to consider many of his other qualities and attributes. And yet, as you read the gospels and hear his words, you eventually come to realize that he had to have been extremely intelligent, very imaginative, and a quick wit.
We have no direct knowledge of any formal education, yet he obviously could read well given the many instances where he was asked to read and interpret Scripture. He was often addressed as teacher or rabbi. He could create a parable or a story to explain a difficult question to others and he did so without hesitation. And he understood and saw through hypocrisy and hidden agendas with amazing ease.
We are all familiar with his response to those who asked him if it was lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar “…repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” [Mt 22:21]. What a response! Currency in the ancient world represented political power. Coins were stamped with the image of the ruler and were considered the ruler’s personal property. Thus what belonged to Caesar had to be returned to Caesar. It was his property.
However, we don’t owe our souls to Caesar. We are created in God’s image which means that we belong to Him and must return that which belongs to Him. How and in what state we do so is the question. We were created out of love, spotless and pure. So it is our responsibility to return ourselves to God in good condition, like new. Are you prepared to offer yourself to God?