19th Sunday after Pentecost, 10/19/2014

Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22, by Brad Everett

I read somewhere that one of Scripture's functions is to hold up a mirror to us, that we might see ourselves as we truly are.

As we know from experience, depending on the day, looking in the mirror can give one a feeling of confidence and well-being or conversely can give us pause to even leave the house. The extremes in reaction are based on the fact that the mirror simply reflects what is in front of it.

Likewise with Scripture-depending on the day, we can read a passage and feel encouraged or we can finish the text not so much encouraged as convicted of the image reflected back at us.

Today's gospel text is one of those "not so much" days. It's one thing when we read a passage and see ourselves reflected in the disciples as they stumble and struggle to understand what Jesus is talking about, and then as they try and live it out. It's another when we find ourselves reflected in the image of Jesus' adversaries-in today's case, the Pharisees and their disciples, sent to entrap Jesus with a carefully worded question that isn't seeking after knowledge and truth, but designed only to elicit a desired response.

The Pharisees didn't care about paying taxes to the emperor. They were trying to get Jesus to say the wrong thing. If he said it was lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, they could attack him for encouraging co-operation with the hated, pagan Roman conquerors. If Jesus said it wasn't lawful to pay the tax, they could accuse him of inciting rebellion and disturbing the peace. In short, regardless of their flattering words, the Pharisees saw Jesus as a rival that needed to be eliminated, and they hoped that his answer, positive or negative, would shatter his status in the eyes of the crowds and Jesus the obstacle would be removed.

Now you might say "I've never done such a thing - I'd never try to ‘entrap' Jesus into saying something". Don't be so sure. The resemblance between us and the Pharisees is closer than we might first want to admit.

How often have we come to Jesus, either in prayer or in Scripture, saying smooth and slippery words very much like the Pharisees did in the gospel passage (less to trick Jesus than to trick ourselves into thinking our motives are pure). But inwardly we already have our position staked out-we know what's right, we know what we want to do and we are only coming to Jesus with our carefully worded question looking to corner him into giving us the answer we want. Our question isn't seeking knowledge or truth, it really cares little for the way of God, it simply hopes to elicit a response that will provide us with an excuse to do what we have already determined to do.

Or perhaps we are nursing a grudge over a wrong-recent or long past. We know we're right, that the other person is wrong, does not deserve forgiveness and we have no intention of ever being reconciled to them, (at least not until they give us the apology we deserve). And we come to Jesus armed with what we think is a loophole in the commandment to forgive.

Or maybe we have already decided what we are going to do with our time, talents and treasure i.e. our needs and wants come first, regardless of Scripture's admonition to be generous with all God has given us. And we come with a carefully worded question designed for little more than seeking permission to so things our way.

Or we have a habit or behavior that while maybe not illegal, an attentive reading of Scripture declares it is contrary to God's will for us. But we don't want to struggle with it, let alone give it up so we construct ways and means to rationalize it, including trying to trick Scripture or Jesus into providing us an excuse.

I could go on and I'm sure some of you could likely offer up your own examples if you haven't already run through them in your minds. And to be fair, while sometimes we do this intentionally, at other times we aren't meaning to-but the heart being deceptive above all things, misleads us when we aren't paying attention. I'm sure that the intentions of those who approached Jesus that were a mixed bag-some intentionally trying to deceive him, while others were doing this wrong thing for what they thought were right reasons.

Jesus responds the only way he can-with the truth. He asks for a coin used for the tax and says ‘Well, the emperor's name and image are on it which would indicate some level ownership. It seems like it's his so give him back his little metal discs if he wants them. But while you're at it, be sure to give back to God what belongs to him', which the Pharisees knew included all the earth and the fullness thereof. In other words, worry less about little bits of metal and more about giving yourselves back to the God who created you and gave you life. Submitting yourself to His truth, and his will instead of looking for ways to impose your ways and will on the world around you.

Jesus does nothing less for us. We come with our crafted questions, and he crushes them with the truth of his word and in the process exposing our deceit to us.

But it's what comes next that is truly crucial. When the Pharisees disciples heard Jesus answer, it says "they were amazed, and left him and went away". Did they walk away amazed he managed to evade their trap, but already working on a new way to trap him? Were some not just amazed but also convicted by his answer? Did it drive them to take a long hard look at their hearts and minds, and push them to repent asking God's forgiveness and grace? Beyond amazed there is no indication of what they were thinking. But it isn't a good sign that they left him and went away.

What about us? What is our reaction when Jesus exposes our questions for the deceit laden vehicles they are?

Are we amazed that the creator of heaven and earth managed to see through our ploy and cut to the heart of the matter, which we had been strenuously trying to avoid? Do we walk away from Jesus angry that we didn't get what we want, but are already working on a new and better question for next time?

I hope not. I pray not. Because to do that is to spurn the grace and loving presence of God. Jesus confronts us with the truth because he loves us and wants to rescue us from the lies and deceit we get ourselves entangled in and the first step of that is to recognize those questions for the lies they really are.

I hope that our response is one of humility and repentance. Rather than walk away, no matter if it is out of anger, or even shame, that instead we would fall at Jesus' feet. Our preconceived opinions, our lies, our sins, are not going to give us life, they might promise and create an illusion of life, but the end is death.

Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life is with us today. We will have opportunity to receive him in the Eucharist. While we might not get the answer we want, we can trust we will get the answer we need. There are more important things than being right-and that is being loved and living in the love and grace offered by Jesus.

Pr. Brad Everett
Calgary, AB, Canada
E-Mail: everettsts@gmail.com

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