That's a Great Question

Announcements

No hand holding or hand shaking today.

The ushers will have the offering plates in the back of the sanctuary today instead of passing them, to limit passing the plate.

We encourage you to follow all CDC Precautions

Wash hands often

Provide space between you and your neighbor

Be aware that this disease is rapidly spreading and dangerous to some of our population.

But moreover, pray for one another, in lieu of visits, write to one another, or pick up the phone.

This is a time of unknown. Help us to stay strong through this time and love each other well.

Pastoral Prayer

O Merciful God, in a time of unknowingness, fear and lack of knowledge regarding the origins of coronavirus, we come to you with open arms, welcoming people from all other places, acknowledging our human frailty and our need for your healing power.

O God, we pray for the loss of life, for those who care for the sick and ask for recovery to those in need of healing.

We pray for the cure of this disease and restoration of health.

We praise you, O God, in time of trouble and confusion; you have reminded us that you are our loving God and Savior.

Help us to spread Christian faith as we seek your truth and love each day. We pray in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Taxes

A man on vacation was strolling along outside his hotel in Acapulco, enjoying the sunny Mexican weather. Suddenly, he was attracted by the screams of a woman kneeling in front of a child.

The man knew enough Spanish to determine that the child had swallowed a coin. Seizing the child by the heels, the man held him up, gave him a few shakes, and an American quarter dropped to the sidewalk.

"Oh, thank you sir!" cried the woman. "You seemed to know just how to get it out of him. Are you a doctor?"

"No, ma'am," replied the man. "I'm with the United States Internal Revenue Service."

Here in our passage today Jesus has to deal with a tricky question. He is cornered and grilled about if the Jews of the day should have to pay taxes.

Historical/Cultural

Tax was enforced by the Romans

Coin said Caesar is God on it

Coin was worth about a days wage.

Jews were conflicted about paying it. Because they saw it as honoring another God… and they were greedy.

Set the Stage

This passage happens within the over arching story of the last week of Jesus life. Let me remind you of the order of things.

The Triumphal entry (11:1-10)

Jesus comes into Jerusalem. On a donkey like a king.

Uneventful temple visit (11:11)

He goes to worship. Wouldn’t you know...

Cursed fig tree (11:12-14)

Jesus is hungry… but the tree has no fruit… nevermind it is not fig season.

Cleansing of the temple (11:15-19)

Jesus has here his fit of holy anger.

Jesus explains the fig tree (11:20-25)

Cursed fig tree as a symbol of the power of prayer. Also a picture of the unconnected Christian. Showing leaves like it is giving fruit, but unfruitful.

Scribes, elders and chief priests challenge Jesus’ Authority (11:27-33)

This is the first pass at tricking Jesus in this passage. They attempt to get Jesus to tell if He is God or not. He answers their trick question with a trick question and gets out of it.

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Jesus tells a story every single pharisee would have understood what this parable was saying. Jesus was saying here that God had sent Prophets over and over and they were beaten and killed and so now God sends his message with his son and they are plotting to kill him.

He is point blank telling the Pharisees that He is God. He is point blank threatening the Pharisees with the wrath of God.

Pharisees and Herodians lay traps

The Pharisees- Religious Zealots-Anti Rome

The Herodians- Moderate if Jewish at all Pro Rome

Joined to catch Jesus in a reason to kill him. - This is a huge deal… this would be like Democrats and Republicans joining forces only more animosity.

Political Lessons From Jesus

Christians are Good Citizens

Jesus said to pay the tax. Keep a thumb here in Mark but turn to . Between these 2 passages we can develop a pretty good theology of government.

We are to submit to the authority of the land. Follow Laws, pay taxes, care for your neighbor so in this sense you are called to be a good American.

Christians are International

We are not tied to one country. No such thing as a Christian Nation. All nations are just nations, some were founded on Christian principles, but that does not make the nation Christian.

Government is fallen, God appointed, but not perfect.

Christians are Fully Accountable to God

Limited Duty to Earthly Authority

Render to Caesar what is Caesars.

Money, land, homes, cars all these things are man’s. All these things could be looked at as Caesar’s.

Comprehensive Duty to God

Jesus is saying this thing that bears the image of Caesar belongs to him. However, these people who bear the image of God are God’s

We should be less worried about who gets what, and how taxes are paid and if Bernie Sanders can save us all from the Coronavirus. But, we should be more concerned with Rendering to God those that bear His Image!