In today’s Gospel, Matthew 22, the Pharisees and Herodians set out to test Jesus because they were threatened by him. They asked him if taxes should be given to an earthly authority like Caesar. He asked whose image was on the coin used for taxes. And it was Caesar’s. Jesus sensed they were trying to trap him. If he answered yes, he would be seen by his followers as colluding with the government. If he answered no, he would be acting against the Roman ruler and in danger of being arrested for treason. Instead, Jesus told them to give to the emperor what was the emperor’s and to God what was God’s.
Pastor Beth asked us to consider our own coin. What image does it bare? What does the inscription say? We were created as loved children of God. We bare His image within us. And so, we are called to live with generosity and grace; reaching out to others, as He does to us.
To listen to the Gospel and sermon, click the link below.