Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus is Lord. Caesar is not!

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus 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.

In one of his finest no-answer answers, Jesus said: “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

His critics were “amazed.” They got it. They understood his point.

It seemed somehow clear to them. Clear enough to turn and walk away.

But it has rarely seemed that clear to us. Over the centuries Christians developed at least five interpretations of Jesus’ “render to Caesar” comment: (1) Caesar and God are separate — pay the tax; (2) Caesar and God are an enigma, an unsolvable puzzle meant as a deflection; (3) Caesar and God are a paradox and we, somehow, must serve both; (4) Caesar and God are at odds — pay your taxes but “with contempt”; or (5) Caesar is under the authority of God and give the state nothing, no matter the consequences.

Take your pick. Each one of these positions has theological oomph — and has been supported and argued over and over and over again in church history. 

That makes me wonder: Have we missed the point? 

When this story was first written down, sometime between 60 and 80, Roman emperors made a claim to divinity. Indeed, the imperial titles for Caesar included “Dominus et Deus” and “Dominus et Salvator.” Not “Mr. President” or “Your Honor” or even “Your Royal Highness” or “Your Majesty.” But “Lord and God” or “Lord and Savior.” Those were titles held by Caesar.

Jews hated it. This was idolatry. And Christians hated it, too. Christians hated it so much that they stole the titles and gave them to Jesus. No calling Nero their Lord and God. Instead, they proclaimed “Jesus is Lord.” 

And the year 60, they were being killed for saying it.

That’s the invisible context of the Caesar tax story. In these early years, every Christian knew their creed: Jesus is Lord. Not Caesar. 

The first audience of Matthew’s gospel would have known exactly how it was intended. The story undergirded their creed — Jesus is Lord. Not Caesar. They might have laughed upon hearing or reading it. Caesar thinks everything belongs to him. We don’t think that! Because nothing belongs to Caesar. Everything belongs to God! 

The story was written down because it supported what Christians already believed. Not that they were trying to figure out some doctrine of church and state. 

They were not worried about taxes. They were worried about Roman authorities throwing them to wild beasts. 

They already knew that Caesar was a pretender. That evil was upon the throne. And God? Well, no matter what Caesar did, even if he murdered them, Caesar could never own them. Because God did. Through faith. Through baptism. Through their love of God. Through their solidarity with neighbors. Jesus is Lord! 

And that’s it. The first creed was a theological statement. And it was a political statement. The first creed was theo-political. Jesus is Lord. Caesar is not.

In the case of this verse, the long historical argument of state and church in Christian theology is a complexity of our own making. It is complicated because we’ve made it complicated — trying to justify governments and practices and systems of politics that literally have nothing to do with divine intention and the sacred heartbeat of the cosmos. 

Jesus is Lord. Caesar is not.

The Pharisees were amazed because it was so clear. So simple. They’d complexified Caesar and God — and Jesus cut to the chase. Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s — to God what is God’s. 

It is simple. Everything belongs to God. Simple, yes. But it is very hard to live. The early Christians knew that. Simplicity doesn’t mean it is easy. And we know that, too.

But the simplicity still shines: God. Dominus et Deus. Lord and God. Dominus Mundi. Lord of the Earth. Dominus universum. Lord of the Universe. 

Remember the creed — the cry — of the first followers of Jesus: Jesus is Lord! 

Not Caesar. Never Caesar.

May we be brave enough to proclaim the same — and courageous enough to live it in our day.

Diane Butler Bass “The Cottage”

John 6:35-40 We enter into the Body of Christ by faith!

 John  6:44–45 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.

No one comes to the Father except by the precious blood of the Lamb. In the  sacrifice of Jesus we are united into the Body of Christ. The only thing that can separate us from God is unbelief. Whomsoever believes in Him will no perish but have everlasting life. The Father has always known those who would believe in Him. Carla

John 6:35-40

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (NKJV)

Bread of life means “bread which supplies life.” Manna satisfied physical needs for a while; Christ satisfies spiritual need forever (4:13, 14).

Seeing does not necessarily mean believing (verse 30; 11:46–57), although sometimes it does (11:45; 20:29). On the other hand, Christ blesses those who believe without having seen (20:29).

For indicates an explanation of the previous statement. Christ will not cast out any who come to Him because He came to do the Father’s will.

The will of the Father is twofold: (1) that all who come to the Son will be received and not lost; (2) that all who see and believe on the Son will have everlasting life. The NKJV Study Bible

I am the bread of life Since the audience continues to miss the point that Jesus is referring to Himself as the one sent by God, Jesus makes the point explicit.

Jesus uses seven metaphorical “I am” statements to define His role as Savior and Messiah (4:26). These sayings also carry strong overtones of being claims to divinity. He identifies Himself as the bread of life (verses 35, 48, 51), the light of the world (8:12; 9:5), the gate for the sheep (10:7, 9), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), the resurrection and the life (11:25), the way and the truth and the life (14:6), and the true vine (15:1).

Jesus briefly sets aside the topic of the “bread of life” to expound on the issue of the Jews’ persistent unbelief, reiterating His role as agent of the divine will and stressing that eternal life is gained through belief in Him

No one who believes in Jesus will be rejected by Him.

John 6:54

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 

John 4:14

but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 17:2

as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

John  17:24

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

And this I know my friends: We live in an emotionally and spiritually de-hydrated world, thirsty for the sustaining balm of builders of healing places and repairers of our world. Because we live in a culture of bluster and ado, we forget that we can make a difference. And more often than not, the wrong people get the attention. Sabbath Moments

Colossians 3:12-15 Above all put on Love!

 Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

We will know followers of Jesus by the fruit that is evident in their lives. Love and compassion are the outward expressions of the inner heart, the Spirit,  that belongs to God. Carla

Colossians 3:12-15

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (NKJV)

In the Roman Empire a person who did not speak Greek was despised.

Since all of God’s fullness resides in Christ, every spiritual reality is found in Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. The Greek word theotētos for Godhead is used only here in the NT and designates the totality of God’s nature and person. All the fullness of the Godhead “dwells” or “permanently resides” in the body of Jesus, the God-man. The NKJV Study Bible

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy 14:2; Romans 9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians 3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people. Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47). The Greek word used here for peace, eirēnē, refers to wholeness or the absence of conflict in a relationship.

Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts.

Paul commands the Colossians to express gratitude for the things they have and the people in their lives. Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians  4:2

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 

2 Corinthians 6:6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 

Philippians 2:1

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 

Luke 1:78

Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

I know this for certain: it doesn't take much to nurse resentment or regret. There are times when whatever we are doing seems not enough (no doubt a miasma of guilt or shame and the vagaries of public opinion).
Over the years I have heard, “I’m just a volunteer (or just a member, or catechist, or teacher, or aid, or worker, or helper, or employee, or friend, or mother or father or fill in the blank).”
To each I say, No.
You see, “just a” creates a label and tells us what we are not. And when we label, we dismiss. (Regardless of the label. Dorothy Day once scoffed, “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.”)
So, how then do we make a difference?
Here’s the deal: Your work (labor) is your turf of responsibility. Which is only part of our DNA. Because no matter where we labor or toil, our calling is to spill the light.
And the good news? For this we don’t have to pass a test, or qualify, we have only to be willing.
Jesus made it simple, "Let your light shine."
Not, when you get your act together.
Not, when you feel noble.
Not, when you find a specific vocation.
Not, after you've chased all the gloom away.
Just let it shine. Because the light is already there. Inside of you. Now.
What we do—how we “choose”—and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple.
This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. We need a reset on making a difference.
Because we live in a culture of bluster and ado, we forget that we can make a difference. And more often than not, the wrong people get the attention.
So. Here’s to the restorative power of small gestures. Sabbath Moments

Psalm 46:10 God alone is to be exalted not man

 Isaiah 2:11

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled,

The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down,

And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

God reigns in heaven and earth is His footstool and He will teach us the lessons that we need. We can walk in the ways of Jesus or man but we cannot walk in both. We will learn our lessons as individuals and collectively as a nation in the world that He created. We choose whom we will serve. Satan and those who serve him seek to kill, steal and destroy. This is not the way of God. We depend on Him and only in Him is our hope. What does He require of us? He requires us to be fair, forgiving and humble in our walk with Him (Micah 6:8). He alone is God. He alone, by the power of Holy Spirit, can change the hearts of man. He alone is worthy of our praise…not man. Be still and hear His still, small voice that welcomes you into His family. His peace He gives to us, not the peace that man conjures up, but His peace that is beyond human understanding. With God we are a people of peace not war. Carla

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

(NKJV)

The call for stillness before the Lord is not a preparation for worship, but for impending judgment. God will be exalted. All the earth will bow before Him. The NKJV Study Bible

Isaiah 2:17

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down,

And the haughtiness of men shall be brought low;

The LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

Psalm 100:3

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Deuteronomy 4:35

To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him. 

In my memory I’m back in southern Michigan, the son of a brick mason. I’ve been on countless constructions sites. Most of them as a hod carrier (mixing mortar, lugging bricks). So many days eager to quit. And hearing my Father’s words, “Son, build this one like you’re building your own.” (Twenty-six years ago, my Father helped me build the house on Vashon Island.)

So yes. Let us remember; we make a difference with every nail we hammer, each board we choose, each brick we mortar, each window we put in place.

Because we live in a culture of bluster and ado, we forget that we can make a difference. And more often than not, the wrong people get the attention.

We are, all of us, builders. We are about the business of building places and spaces for human dignity and inclusion and justice and hope. For resilience and confidence and courage and safety and wellbeing.

But this is important. This parable is not meant to scold us into making a difference. It’s a recognition that we have been created and are able to do so. It's not about bootstraps and will power and consternation. This is about letting the language of our (replenished and not overwhelmed) heart speak.

When I live from overwhelmed, I react, I live fearful, I give in to cynicism. No wonder the first to go are my courage and my ability to laugh. Which is not good considering that they both come from the same muscle in our heart. Sabbath Moments

Hebrews 10:1-10 Jesus came to save the world not to condemn it.

Hebrews 9:11–14 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption…

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomever believes in Him would  not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved. The precious blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus,  was shed for the remission of sin so that which is imperfect (us) could be made perfect in His righteousness. In the new and everlasting Covenant Jesus took away the sins of the world. He tore the veil that separated us from the Almighty.  All honor and glory belong to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Carla

Hebrews 10:1-10

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”

8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (NKJV)

Not the very image means “not the exact representation.” Perfect refers to the removal of the consciousness of sins (verse 2; 8:12; 9:9). The sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant prefigured Christ’s ultimate sacrifice of Himself. Therefore these imperfect sacrifices of mere animals could not completely purify the person who offered them. If they had been able to, these sacrifices would have ceased. Instead of thoroughly atoning for the sins of the people, the annual sacrifice on the Day of the Atonement was a visible reminder of the people’s sins.

Therefore: Based on the inadequacy of animal sacrifices, a conclusion is drawn. It is written of Me: The author presents Psalm 40 as a messianic psalm, for only Christ, and not David, could have fulfilled the prophecies of the book, the OT. The OT prophets had warned the Israelites that sacrifices alone would not please God. He desired obedience as well (Psalm 51:16, 17; Is. 1:13–17). This messianic psalm indicates that Jesus’ obedience to God the Father was one of the reasons His sacrifice was better than the OT sacrifices.

The author explains Psalm 40, concluding that God takes away the first, meaning the Levitical sacrificial system, to establish the second, namely, the Son’s obedient sacrifice. The verb translated takes away means “abolishes.” The imperfect sacrifices were abolished so that the perfect Sacrifice could impart true life.

Sanctified means “set apart.” Believers have been separated from their sins and set apart to God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. The NKJV Study Bible

The law revealed the need for atonement but only provided a short-term solution. Reminder of sins refers to the Day of Atonement. An animal sacrifice cannot take away sins in an eternal way; only the sacrifice of Christ can accomplish that (verses 12–14). In the OT, animal sacrifices signified forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31; 5:10, 13, 16). The Hebrew terms used in these contexts refer to the cleansing of the impurity caused by sin and God’s pardoning of the sinner following that cleansing.

In its original context, the psalm cited here (Psalm 40:6–8) is associated with David, who understands right living to be better than right rituals. The author of Hebrews presents Christ as the speaker of this psalm.

Whole burnt offerings as a sacrifice could be practiced for ritual cleansing (Leviticus 1:4; 5:7, 10), vows (Numbers 15:3, 8), and festival offerings (Numbers 10:10; 28:10). Offerings for sins refer to the offering undertaken for unintentional sins (Leviticus 4:1–5:13). The requirements for this offering differed depending on who sinned. For example, the high priest’s sin required a more costly sacrifice than that of a common Israelite.

To do your will is a  quote from Psalm 40:6–8 and demonstrates Christ’s obedience to the divine will; He fulfilled the divine purposes of God for humanity (Hebrews  2:10, 14, 17; Isaiah 53:10). Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 40:6–8

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;

My ears You have opened.

Burnt offering and sin offering 

You did not require.

Then I said, “Behold, I come;

In the scroll of the book it is written of me…

Hebrews 10:11–12

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 

Hebrews 7:27

who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Two men visiting Hong Kong, noticed the ubiquity of street vendors, all pushing their carts along, pell-mell, in and out of traffic. Attempting to gain the attention of any potential customer, the vendors would shout repeatedly, “Sale! Sale! Good items for sale!”

So numerous were these vendors that the men found it difficult to avoid their aggressive sales pitches. It was then that they noticed a lone vendor, different from the others. This man stayed to himself, and slowly and quietly pushed his cart along the sidewalk. Intrigued, they stopped the vendor to ask him about his wares, “What are you selling?”

“Selling?” the vendor responded, “Oh, I'm not selling anything.” With that, he reached into his cart and picked up two pieces of a toy that had been broken. “You see, I buy broken things. My joy comes in mending. Once, mended, it can be given away, and bring more joy.”

This story does my heart good. Because there is a part of me that feels broken. And mending, well, that sounds very good to me. But I believe, in my mind (if I'm honest), that I am exchanging the word mending with the word, fixing. Somehow, I’ve persuaded myself that broken is a deficiency.

So. Let’s begin here: Some of us... no, all of us... break.

Maybe from stress or fatigue of spirit. Or from loss of childlikeness or grief. Or from loss of passion. Or from a world where cruelty and violence is too real.

Yes. Life is difficult.

And no matter how strong or safeguarded, very bad things can happen to good and innocent people. And sometimes I don't have the words. Even for my prayers.

Here’s the deal: I have a choice. Brokenness can undo me. Or I can see an invitation to a bigger self, creating spaces for healing and spiritual hydration and renewal.

This is why I have always resonated with the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan. A man is laying in a ditch, having been beaten and left to die. Two pious men pass by, a priest and a Levite, seeing the man, but they continue to walk, without stopping.

The Samaritan stops. Why? Because he knew what it was like to be wounded too.

“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Gospel of Luke)

You see, once we are open...

...to giving up our expectations and demands,

...to having our stereotypes contradicted,

...to embracing our brokenness,

...we find "There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter." (Mother Teresa)

When we see with our heart, we are grounded. We are conscious—present—no longer numbed. And tender hearts create sanctuaries for those left out. So, if ever there was a time for tender hearted, courageous men and women to step forward, it is now.

I like Thomas Merton’s take, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody’s business. What we are asked to do is to love.” Sabbath Moments