Are We Asking The Right Questions?
Good Morning Friends,
Typically, we hate taxes and try to avoid them. Some have argued that they are unjust and immoral, like the Pharisees in today’s text and others like the Herodians (a sect of the Sadducees) are all for taxation. We of course owe our nation support, but we must never forget that we owe God our devotion. Unfortunately, we muddle the ideas of Church and State. Though we might give happily to the church we are less likely to be happy about paying taxes. When the focus of our hearts is on worldly concerns though we miss the real value of life. The answers to life’s most important problems are found in unexpected ways. Sometimes it is not about trying harder but thinking differently. Are We Asking The Right Questions?
Scripture: Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.
Mark 12:13-17 (NRSV)
Message: A cursory reading of today’s lectionary story will give the impression that this was about money, however Jesus turns the tables making the lesson far deeper than we imagine. Jesus has us face up to the fact that we want to portray our best to others so that people think highly of us. We shower, brush our teeth and hair and put on clean clothes to make ourselves presentable…. We even calculate what we are going to say and do to impress others with activities of pleasure seeking and personal gratification. Image is everything. And the image on the coinage of the realm…well… you get the point about power and its source. Unfortunately, our actions in doing the things we need to do every day betrays our divided interests. Like all the characters in today’s text we are portraying an image. But are we portraying to the world around us the image of Christ? Friends, if we bear the real mark of Christ we will give of our time, energy, livelihood and heart to the work of the Kingdom. We may want to present an image, but the real us will shine through. Let Jesus, both in good times and in bad times, reign in our hearts and lives. Friends, the ability to answer wisely may not persuade the hardened opponents of the Gospel, but God can use those answers to glorify himself and perhaps to reach out to others who hear the discussion. Jesus knows the right questions to ask and the right answers to give.
Pray we not be afraid of difficult questions that need to be asked but pray we beware of the people who ask them for their agenda may not be sincere. Pray we are sealed with the image of Christ. Pray we operate under His authority and with all the resources made possible to each of us when we believe. Pray that because we have received freely we freely give. Pray that others see the seal of Jesus on our lives. Pray we have the love of God, mercy and grace and share with all we meet. Pray we have patience during trials and temptations. Pray we never lose faith. Pray we never revile those who make honest mistakes. Pray we not waste time with trivial matters. Pray we realize that everything belongs to God but that God has entrusted certain thing to governments. Pray we, our government and the Church bring glory to God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 