Paying taxes to Caesar is thought to be a perfect trap for Jesus. The Jews had their own money but for taxes, they had to pay in Roman money – effaced with Caesar’s image. Here Matthew provides insight into the nature and brilliance of Jesus and His purpose.
Jesus calls us to look beyond what our human concerns expect….
We hear some uncomfortable messages this week. Aaron built a golden calf when he replied to the demands of the people. When the church gets anxious, it creates golden calves. It looses celebration and festivity, trying to save itself. Paul encourages us to not be anxious but with prayer and thanksgiving make our requests known.
Navigating life is tough work at times. All the things that burden us down, should not hold us back if we realise God’s mighty power, grace and forgiveness can be ours.
Live life doing the things Jesus calls us to do, love and serve him and others to the Glory of God
William Barclay refers to this story as: ‘The Better of Two Bad Sons’, neither brings gratitude to the father – at first! Our religious knowledge and practice is not always consistent with our actions and attitudes. God looks for performance, “Show me what you can do in my vineyard” Despite all our failures, God’s offer of Grace is for everyone
The ‘Upside Down Kingdom of God’ tells us something about ourselves and that our day to day way of operating, is not the same as the way God operates.
Greatness in his followers is about serving. Leaders are the servants of all and God’s Grace is there for everyone.
The power of God’s extravagant forgiveness is so great, so
beautiful, so mystifying, that it surely cannot help but change us.
We cannot experience it and then go on being closed to others.
Restorative justice calls out oppression and violence for the evil they are and judges them: forgiven.
What is our purpose in life? Someone answered this way, “Its
love, isn’t it. The reason we exist is to love and be loved”
Jesus was very practical in the way he demonstrated love for the world, through all the good and bad times of his life.
Practical love, like all love is found in the big and small things in life, the good times and the bad. Seek it out.
Jesus wasn’t into an easy and attractive message. Not something
an advertising agency would want to address.
He calls us to take up the cross, to share the burden of the world.
Carrying the cross is a way of life. It is about putting God first.
NAIDOC Week was recently celebrated. The Uniting Church has
a long history of working with the First Peoples.
We are called to take the yoke upon ourselves as a nation, to ensure First peoples will have a Voice.
Through the Spirit we are called to live in new ways with justice and truth.
Discipleship beckons us to go to an uncertain future, question, consider
and change our minds.
We’re called to live out our beliefs and put our ideals into practice and travel a ‘Jesus way’ every day.
