Comments on Matthew 22:15-22
Posted on October 21, 2011 with 0 comments
..commentary on the Lesson
Matthew 22:15-22
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.
Down through human history, humanity has proven itself to be largely "un-redeemable". Recently, we noted that perhaps the creation of humanity is a huge cosmic joke. The sheer unchangeable nature of
man appears to be a fact of life.
However, there are countless acts of human kindness, patience, tolerance, benevolence and profound self sacrifice.
Where does this kindness come from?
In reading the lesson - Jesus was obviously very shrewd in his response to the "legalists' of his day.
I cannot imagine living a life in constant danger. Jesus put himself in the position of possible physical harm every day. He challenged every human assumption, every human frailty and deviance.
World wars have been fought to confront the deviance of civilizations. There is possibly no more extreme deviant human behavior than the holocaust.
Can we learn anything from history or from the words of Jesus?
Has the church had any positive effect whatsoever on human behavior?
Americans now have more laws and institutions of law enforcement than ever before in history, and there appears to be no end in sight.
The whole "culture" of human protection, healthcare, education, law enforcement ad infinitum have never been more sophisticated and complex, and the "vortex of taxes" to pay for it all has never been so pervasive.
Is it possible that we can actually learn something from Jesus words concerning "whose face was on the coin used for tax" ?
If we do not pay our taxes - we will suffer incarceration - we do not have a choice. But we have another choice...no institution, religion or system can or will ever force us to be "better".
If we give God something far, far more significant - our spiritual consciousness - - our lives will be radically changed, our thinking and behavior will be profoundly affected. Simple acts of prayer and confession in our liturgy should jolt us our of our bad habits, apathy and stupidity.
But, it requires a conscious effort to be "better" - to think wisely and to behave in a way that contradicts everything in society. Unfortunately, it may require more patience than we possess.
It now appears that the church historically, has had very little effect on human behavior and in some ways, made it more corrupt, confused and neurotic.
We can make a proactive, individual choice to rise above institutions, social influence, religious ambiguity and raw human nature.
"...give therefore unto the emperor the things that are the emperor's,
and to God the things that are God's."
There will always be "pharisees" among us who cannot change, who will never comprehend human compassion, tolerance, love, equanimity and patience. That's just the way it is...
We may be authentically disciplined and truly loving in our personal behavior, but we still have to pay our taxes to protect us from the "nut" next door.
Institutions can "adjust" human behavior, but only God can change the "human heart".
Matthew 22:15-22
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.
Down through human history, humanity has proven itself to be largely "un-redeemable". Recently, we noted that perhaps the creation of humanity is a huge cosmic joke. The sheer unchangeable nature of
man appears to be a fact of life.
However, there are countless acts of human kindness, patience, tolerance, benevolence and profound self sacrifice.
Where does this kindness come from?
In reading the lesson - Jesus was obviously very shrewd in his response to the "legalists' of his day.
I cannot imagine living a life in constant danger. Jesus put himself in the position of possible physical harm every day. He challenged every human assumption, every human frailty and deviance.
World wars have been fought to confront the deviance of civilizations. There is possibly no more extreme deviant human behavior than the holocaust.
Can we learn anything from history or from the words of Jesus?
Has the church had any positive effect whatsoever on human behavior?
Americans now have more laws and institutions of law enforcement than ever before in history, and there appears to be no end in sight.
The whole "culture" of human protection, healthcare, education, law enforcement ad infinitum have never been more sophisticated and complex, and the "vortex of taxes" to pay for it all has never been so pervasive.
Is it possible that we can actually learn something from Jesus words concerning "whose face was on the coin used for tax" ?
If we do not pay our taxes - we will suffer incarceration - we do not have a choice. But we have another choice...no institution, religion or system can or will ever force us to be "better".
If we give God something far, far more significant - our spiritual consciousness - - our lives will be radically changed, our thinking and behavior will be profoundly affected. Simple acts of prayer and confession in our liturgy should jolt us our of our bad habits, apathy and stupidity.
But, it requires a conscious effort to be "better" - to think wisely and to behave in a way that contradicts everything in society. Unfortunately, it may require more patience than we possess.
It now appears that the church historically, has had very little effect on human behavior and in some ways, made it more corrupt, confused and neurotic.
We can make a proactive, individual choice to rise above institutions, social influence, religious ambiguity and raw human nature.
"...give therefore unto the emperor the things that are the emperor's,
and to God the things that are God's."
There will always be "pharisees" among us who cannot change, who will never comprehend human compassion, tolerance, love, equanimity and patience. That's just the way it is...
We may be authentically disciplined and truly loving in our personal behavior, but we still have to pay our taxes to protect us from the "nut" next door.
Institutions can "adjust" human behavior, but only God can change the "human heart".