October 18, 2020
“Going with God”
Isaiah 57:1-7
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
Several years ago I was having a conversation with a friend and the topic somehow turned to a very “hot button” issue. My friend and I respectfully expressed our opposing views on this hot-button topic – and then my friend quoted a Bible verse, ending her argument by saying, “I’m going with God on this one.” And with that, the conversation came to a halt.
Here’s the thing. I didn’t agree with my friend’s interpretation of that verse of scripture.
The modern day issue that she felt was definitively “settled” by her quote of one particular Bible verse – and her conviction that she was “going with God” – said to me that in contrast she felt I was NOT going with God. That was hurtful and unsettling.
I didn’t challenge her at the time. Honestly, it didn’t feel as though challenging her would have served any useful purpose. I’m not sure, however, how I would handle it if we were to have the same conversation today.
I am finding – and I know I am not alone in this – that in these days of partisan bickering, stress from the pandemic, racial tensions, and natural disasters, I am more and more troubled by the deep divisions around me.
Within those divides, those of us who identify as Christian can in our beliefs and convictions be as different as night and day.
It seems like more and more I’m feeling at odds with people who I dearly love but who have not just different beliefs from my own, but diametrically opposed beliefs. How, exactly, did we get here? How did we get to this point? Frankly, I have lost sleep over it.
Let me be clear – I’m not claiming to have answers to any of this. I wish I did. I just feel like these are vitally important questions to ask.
To state the obvious, there are so many “blurred lines” these days when it comes to the ways in which politics and religion interact and intersect with one another. And this intersection between politics and religion really is at the heart of our Gospel passage for today.
In our passage, the religious leaders are trying to back Jesus into a corner by forcing him to “choose sides.” Specifically, they ask him if it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor.
If Jesus answers “yes” that it is lawful, then he may appear to be siding with Roman authorities and against the best interests of the common people. If he answers that it is NOT lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, then he paints himself as a rebel, in opposition to the state. The Pharisees feel they have placed Jesus in a no-win situation.
Jesus, however, as he is so skilled at doing, is able to turn the situation around and make it into an important teaching moment.
Jesus points out that it is the emperor’s face on the coins that are used to pay the taxes, and he says, “give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s.”
And then Jesus makes a distinction – he continues on, saying, “and give to God the things that are God’s.”
Jesus is making a distinction between two forces in the daily lives of the people – politics and religion. And while politics and civil obedience to the law certainly have their place, there is something much greater at work. While the taxes may belong to Caesar, the people belong to God.
The first loyalties of the people of Jesus’ day – and our first loyalties – belong to God. To once again quote my friend from earlier, we are called to “Go with God.”
Of course, the hard part comes when as Christians, we often can’t agree on what “going with God” looks like.
So here is my prayer for all of us as we move through these next few tempestuous weeks ahead.
May we be quick to listen, even when we disagree. May we be bold in speaking our individual truths and convictions in ways that honor the sacred humanity in all people.
May we seek ways to gain understanding and reconciliation.
And may we listen faithfully for our Still Speaking God who calls us over the tumult.
And who says to us, “follow me.”
AMEN