When some Pharisees tried to trick him, Jesus said, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." In our worship today let us explore the things that are God's.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, sometimes I'm confused. I don't know which things belong to you and which things belong to mammon.
Lord, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes I pretend to myself that I'm doing something for you, when I'm really doing it for myself.
Christ, have mercy.Jesus, sometimes I wrap myself in religiosity but I know that my heart is far from you.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)
Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. [16] 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. [17] Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" [18] But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? [19] Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. [20] Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" [21] 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." [22] When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.
Story:
When the Pharisees challenged Jesus over his attitude towards the state, he neatly separated the state from God. But it isn't always easy to decide whether or not the state is following God's law. So whether or not we should follow the path of civil disobedience.
Trevor's
Pets
Trevor has always loved animals, for as long as he could remember.
He couldn't imagine anyone not loving animals, even though his mother wasn't
very keen on snakes or spiders. Trevor was unable to understand how she could
possible be frightened of either.
"The only poisonous snake in this
country is the adder," he told his mother, "and even a bite from an adder is
unlikely to kill you. As for spiders, why, they eat up flies and keep the house
clean. Why are you afraid of them?"
Trevor's Mum sighed and shook her
head. "Just don't bring any snakes or spiders in here," she said. "I can cope
with furry creatures, but not insects or reptiles."
Trevor looked at
her pityingly, but did as she said. Instead, he found a succession of small,
injured mammals and birds, and delighted in nursing them back to health. When
he was grown up, he wanted to work for the RSPCA.
When he became a
little older, Trevor discovered that there was an animal research station just
on the edge of town. When he found out that the research involved injecting
animals with strange substances to see how they would react, or cutting them
open, or grafting onto them new body parts, or even killing them, he was
horrified.
"How can anyone do such terrible things to defenceless
animals?" he stormed.
"They're doing them to save human lives," replied
his father, gravely. "Because of research on animals, scientists have developed
all sorts of new drugs to help sick human beings. How can that be
bad?"
But Trevor didn't agree. He couldn't sleep at night for his anger
over how the animals in the research lab were being treated. Then he found on
the internet an organisation which was dedicated to closing such labs and to
improving the life of captive animals. Trevor joined immediately.
Soon
after he had become a member, Trevor received an email asking him to take part
in a bid to free the animals from the lab. He was determined to be there. He
crept out that night when his parents were asleep, wearing dark clothing as the
email had suggested.
There was quite a crowd at the lab, but they were
all very quiet as they prepared to break in and unlock all the cages. Trevor
was among the first to enter the lab and felt a strange excitement as he
unlatched various cages and watched all the animals racing or slithering or
sliding into freedom.
When the actions of Trevor's group became known
next day, Trevor's parents were aghast. "Whoever did this doesn't love
animals," said Trevor's Dad.
"What do you mean?" asked
Trevor.
"It's an act of the greatest cruelty to release captive animals
into the wild," declared his dad. "They won't survive. Not only is this not
their native habitat, but they have been born into captivity and have never
learned how to forage for themselves. They'll all be dead by the
weekend."
Trevor felt terrible. He hadn't thought of that. He'd only
thought of the freedom he would be giving the animals.
'Perhaps it's
not quite as clear-cut as I thought,' he mused. 'I'm sorry, God. Next time I'll
think twice before I break the law. I want to give to Caesar what is Caesar's
and to you what is yours, but it isn't always easy to tell the
difference.'
And although he continued to love animals for the whole of
his life, Trevor never again acted irresponsibly towards them.
Activity:
You need:
A list of different objects which can be found on
the church premises. Some should be clearly religious, such as a hymn book, a
Bible, a cross, but some should be less obvious, such as a candle, matches,
water, wine. And some should be everyday items such as a tea towel, soap,
coffee, a serviette, a coin.
Divide the children into groups and give each group a copy of the list. Give them half an hour to find as many objects on the list as they can and tell them that there will be a small prize fro the winning group.
When the children return, put all the objects onto the table and ask them to divide them into that which belongs to God, and that which belongs to "Caesar". Ask them how they have decided what goes into which group. Look at the "Caesar" group and ask them whether God has anything at all to do with those items. Encourage a discussion in which you can point out that God is present in everything we do, not just in Church. Point out too that the law of the land is usually (but not always) in accordance with God's laws. Ask them whether it is ever right to break the law? (Think of the suffragettes, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Greenham Common). Make sure the children realize that although Christians may very occasionally feel that they must break the law, they must always think long and carefully before they do so and be prepared to be punished by the state.
Intercession:
Ever-present God, help us in the church to think very carefully about our duty as Christians. May we never accept laws simply because we're told to, but only after careful consideration as to whether or not they are in accordance with your law. Give us the courage to stand up for the truth, no matter what the cost.
Ever-present God, when politicians fashion new laws, may they always seek your guidance. Help those who govern us to be always aware of your laws and to work in tune with them.
Ever-present God, when we really believe that society is wrong, may we be brave enough to stand against the majority. Give us the strength to endure and give us the certain knowledge that we are following your will.
Ever-present God, help those who are sick or suffering and those who care for them. May they touch the hem of your cloak and so receive your healing. We name them before you .
Blessing:
May you have the skill
To determine what is right
And the strength and courage
To stand up for it.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
now and always.
Amen.
