October 22nd Virtual Worship
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Amazed!
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
[Reading above - Matthew 22:15-22]
This teaching of Jesus comes only days before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. You can feel the tension growing as the religious and political authorities are growing increasingly concerned that Jesus was threatening the peace of Jerusalem, especially as the crowds arrive to celebrate Passover. Remember that Passover celebrates God’s power to deliver and liberate God’s people from oppression. Adding to the concern of the authorities was the heightened expectation from the people that Jesus might well be the anointed leader of God who would trigger this deliverance and liberation. The way Jesus answered the question about paying taxes could tip the uneasy balance either toward Jesus’ arrest or toward the crowd’s desire for revolution. Brilliantly, Jesus avoids these undesirable outcomes (at least in the short term) and provides a timely and timeless spiritual truth. Our first and highest commitment to God guides our actions and behavior regarding all other responsibilities and obligations. One additional and important note: when groups within Judaism are presented as debating or criticizing Jesus, this is not a conflict against Judaism but within Judaism.
Questions for Reflection:
When have you felt trapped “between a rock and a hard place”? How does it help that Jesus knows how that feels?
When there are difficult and conflicting dilemmas in your life, how might it help to make God’s values of grace, goodness, peace, and justice your values?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Spend some time reflecting on what it means to you to make God your highest priority, as well as what that looks like in your relationships, your stewardship of resources, and your daily decision-making. Put those thoughts in a prayer, a song, a poem, a statement of values, or some other creative expression of applying faith to your life.
A Practice to Deepening Discipleship
Incorporate a faith journal in your spiritual practice. Use the journal as a way to:
jot down needs and blessings with words or drawings or pictures, respond to the questions for reflection in the sermon notes, make notes about the weekly scripture lessons and sermons, create a to-do list of discipleship actions, list questions you want to explore, write prayers, stories, poems, or letters, be creative!
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com