Gospel
Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent
to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech.
They came and said to him,
“Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion.
You do not regard a person’s status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?
Should we pay or should we not pay?”
Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them,
“Why are you testing me?
Bring me a denarius to look at.”
They brought one to him and he said to them,
“Whose image and inscription is this?”
They replied to him, “Caesar’s.”
So Jesus said to them,
“Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.”
They were utterly amazed at him.
Who do we belong to?
What do our lives reflect to all who watch?
Do we reflect what we hear in 2nd Peter today…be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
Are we at peace with Christ?
Or do we clamor for the dollar?
Have we created a lifestyle that yearns for God or a lifestyle that is led by the norms of the unprincipled and lost?
Who do we belong to?
What rhythm do we keep beat to?
Is it the rhythm of profit and loss or the song of our Lord?
This morning did we wake to gratitude to the Lord and move quickly through our morning routine to open with prayer?
Jesus knew their trickery and true nature. Though they had prominent lace in the hierarchy of religion, their life was actually more closely tied to the coin rather than the spirit of God.
They spoke about the truth and questioned Jesus as if they abide by it themselves. But they did not.
Today we must remember once again to align our thoughts and actions to a life as children of God. We are not forged by the grinding wheels of trade or ambition but we are made in the image of God. We are made to live and live following his word and shaping a life built on his peace and love.
Whose image do people see on us?
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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