Taxing Jesus

•October 13, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s must be one of the most quoted phrases from the bible – it’s even got its own entry into Wikipedia!

I suspect this oft quoted saying has more to do with Jesus’ frustration with those who kept trying to trick him, than a wish to make a profound statement on tax paying.

You can hear the exasperation in him:

You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Matthew 25:18

Jesus has just told the Parable of the Wedding Feast, which if they were listening, has suggested that those who thought they were “in” God’s Kingdom, may actually found themselves out.

Now, they’ve been away and had a think, and they are determined to trap Jesus.  If they can’t get him any other way, they will trick him into saying something bad about paying taxes.

They give him some flannel about knowing that he tells the truth, and not caring what others think, and then they go for the jugular – what have you got to say about us having to pay taxes?

They clearly thought that Jesus was stupid!  But he knew what they were trying to do – so he points out to them the obvious – if you’re going to use the facilities of Caesar, you have a responsibility to pay your share.

No joy there then for them in their plan to trap him.

I wonder if they even heard the next bit

and to God what is God’s

Jesus does not let them off the hook with their worldly responsibilities – but neither are they let off their responsibilities to God.  We enjoy the benefits of having bins emptied, free health care, a benefit system, and it is our responsibility to pay our share for that.  But…

God has given us far more than the state system ever does.  How do we repay him?

It is not that we are required to buy God’s favour, but how do we respond to what he gives us – not in fear or duty, but in freedom and love?

Lord,

you have given me so much.

What shall I offer back to you?

 

Posted in God, Jesus, Lectionary, love, response
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Setting a Good Example

•October 12, 2011 • Leave a Comment

 

There are some things in life that it is much easier to achieve is there is an example to follow.

An official form that shows you how to complete it at the beginning,  an exam paper with an example at the top of how to set out the answers, how to make something that you’re not sure how it should look,  or even how to set a table with everything in the right order (if these things trouble you!)

Of course it’s also possible to see bad example, that can either make people think it’s ok to follow suit, or make us realise that’s not a good way to go.

Either way, it’s important to be aware that people are watching what we do, and may see our behaviour as a way to follow.

Paul commends the Thessalonians for their behaviour.  They are setting a fine example for others to follow.

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 1:3

They are putting their faith into practice; they are working because of their love; and their hope in Christ holds firm.  They are not just saying what they believe, but living it out.  Word has spread, not just about what they are doing, but why they are doing it.  Their faith in God has become known, which is leading others to know that God.

So, how about our Christian lives?  Are they commendable, worthy of others following our example?  Or might we be leading others astray with our behaviour?  Leading people to think some actions are ok – when they are clearly not.

Not only are other people watching – God is too.

What might he have to say about the way we behave?

Lord,

people are watching me.

They see what I do,

what I say,

how I behave.

And if they know that I know you,

that reflects on you.

May the example I set

be a good one,

may it point to you,

and all you can do.

Not that people will think how good I am –

but see how good you are

Posted in follow, God, Lectionary
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Opening Doors

•October 11, 2011 • Leave a Comment

I am still amazed that it is possible to get from Montpellier to Nottingham on the train in just 9 hours. This is mainly due to the ease of connections at Lille (45 minutes) and St Pancras (20 minutes – not a recommended transfer time, but we managed to make it!!)  What could be a difficult and long journey is made smoother for you by the ease of good interchanges, and efficient trains.

Cyrus has been anointed and appointed by God.

Cyrus II le Grand et les Hébreux Flavius Josèphe, Jean Fouquet

He is the one who allowed the Jews to return from captivity to Jerusalem.  Here he is also appointed by God to conquer nations.  God had a task for him and he was going to make it possible to happen.  God is going to open the doors before him to the place he wants him to go.

Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him… to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:    I will go before you and will level the mountains  Isaiah 45:1,2

God is going to make his passage easy. This is what God has called him for, and he smooths the way.

Why does God do that?  We know that the way through life is not always easy.  Sometimes there are mountains to climb, or we encounter locked gates.  But God promises this to Cyrus so that he will KNOW – he will know that he is the Lord, the one who has called him by name.  He promises to do this, even though Cyrus has not acknowledged him.  God has acknowledged Cyrus.  He knows him and uses him.  God doesn’t need to wait for Cyrus to acknowledge him – God is God and is already there working.

And more than that, God does what he does so that everyone will know:

so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other  Isaiah 45:6

That is what God longs for people to understand.  That there is none but him, whether we realise it or not, he is busy working.  He is smoothing things out where they need to be; he is unlocking gates that we need to go through – and leaving closed those that we don’t; he is calling us to work with him – can we hear him?

Do we acknowledge God?

Lord,

there is so much you do for me,

that I don’t often realise.

Gates you open;

mountains you smooth.

May I see you,

acknowledge you,

and follow the way you call me to

Posted in calling, God, Lectionary, Uncategorized
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