Sermon 18th October 2020 – 20th Sunday
after Pentecost
Text: Matthew 22:15-22 – The Image of God
As we get further and further into this period of lockdown
and closed churches, I keep thinking of the incident in Acts 5 where the
Apostle Peter was ordered by the governing rulers to stop preaching the Gospel.
In response Peter says - "We must obey God rather than human beings! And
he goes on and keeps preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I keep asking myself
whether we are in that situation. At what point do we, as church, say that we
are being denied the right to freedom of worship and that we must obey God
rather than human authority. Have you wondered that? Have we given up too easy
– too readily?
Well, Jesus was confronted with a similar dilemma today. The
story going around was that Jesus was leading an anti-Roman militia aiming to
topple the Roman rule and re-establish the Jewish nation under a Davidic
Kingship. In other words, re-establishing King David’s throne and rule of
Israel rather than Roman rule. And therefore the word had gotten around that
Jesus was teaching that it was wrong to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor when the
money should be going to God and re-establishing the Temple. So, this time,
they really think that they have Jesus in the same way that the FBI were able
to get gangster Al Capone not on the charges that they wanted him on but on tax
evasion. So they put the question to Jesus - Tell us, then, what you think. Is
it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”
First of all, Jesus knows this is an attempt to trap him. As Matthew says: Jesus was aware of their
malice. But I think his answer is the answer which applies to what we are going
through at present: Jesus says: Show me the coin used for the tax.” When they
showed him the coin he said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose title on
the coin?” 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.” At no time does Jesus say that part of his manifesto
was for an uprising or rebellion. In fact Jesus resisted any attempts by the
people to make him king and even rebuked Peter for resisting arrest when he
pulls out his sword and cuts off the ear of one of Jesus’ attackers when he was
being arrested.
The example Jesus uses is interesting. He gets the people to
look at a coin and the image that is imprinted on it. Like our currency, it
bears the image of the governing ruler. In their case – the emperor. In our
case – the queen. And he says – because the money bears the image of the
emperor he says – give to the emperor what belongs to him and give to God what
belongs to God. So ownership is determined by image. Their currency bears the
emperors image. So we have to ask – what belongs to God. Where is God’s image
imprinted?
Well, as we go back to the very beginning of the Bible we
read where God has placed his image: Let us create human beings in our own
image – in the image of God he created them – male and female he created them. As
Christians we must always remember that we belong to God.
No matter what rule we live under – not matter what laws are
ruling over us – we belong to God. And no one can take that away from us.
When Jesus was being questioned by Pilate about submitting to
his authority, Jesus doesn’t deny his authority: Pilate said. Do you refuse to
speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify
you?” Jesus doesn’t deny his authority but says, “You would have no power over
me if it were not given to you from above.
As Christians we are called to reflect the image of God that
we bear and to imitate Christ who saw his submission to Pilate as submission to
God. St Peter talks at length about suffering as an example and witness to
Christ. Not overcoming suffering but enduring suffering. He says: But if you
suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To
this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example
that you should follow in his steps.
And he also says: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the
fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch
as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed
when his glory is revealed. If you are
insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of
glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it
begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel
of God?
None of us like what is happening to the church but it’s a
question of how do we respond. What is it that will bring glory to God? Well,
again, St Peter says: Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority:
whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent
by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it
is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up
for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the
family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
We are not the first generation to suffer because of our
faith. And part of our faith is trusting in God’s deliverance. St Paul, in our
2nd reading today urges us, as ones who bear the Image of God to imitate God: He
says: And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of
persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that
you became an example to all the believers.
What example are we showing? Just look again at the fruits of
the Spirit which are how we can example imitating Christ and God’s image: Love,
Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, &
Self-Control. These are challenging qualities to reflect in time like these but
these are the qualities that Jesus says have been imprinted on us as the Image
of God.
These are fruits which means that they come from being filled
with the Holy Spirit. A lemon tree doesn’t produce apples – so a Christian doesn’t produce hate or anger or lack of
control. Likewise, a lemon tree that doesn’t produce fruit is just a tree. Our
lives are to act like mirrors to reflect God’s presence in the world.
So a constant question we ask ourselves is what image are we
reflecting? The image of God? Or our own image? The situation with our churches
is extremely challenging. I have cried out to God – why have you abandoned me? I
have cried out – take this cup from me. I’m not suggesting in any way that our
suffering mirrors Christ’s suffering but Jesus has given us the example of
walking the way of the cross. Peter wanted to avoid that – never Lord – this
will never happen to you. Jesus rebuked Peter because in his attempt at
honouring God by rebelling he was actually bringing dishonour to God. He is
told that he does not have in mind the things of God but of man. Even though he
really thought he was honouring God by rebelling against an injustice to his
Lord Jesus – he was not allowing God to do his will. Which is why Jesus in the
Garden of Gethsemane says – take this cup from me – but not my will be done but
your will be done.
I’ve said it before – I want our churches opened more than
anyone. I am really struggling not being able to serve you with the Sacrament
and having you here gathered for worship. But I truly believe that God is in
control – we must believe that. And God’s will WILL be done. And God’s glory
will be revealed. Look at the result Jesus got today when he upheld the
authority even though the people felt that the taxes were unfair: They were
amazed; and they left him and went away.
It might seem at times like we are weak and simply rolling
over to the church closures. Maybe at times it seems like we are being
disrespectful to God because we ae not fighting back against the closures. But
the greater witness comes by imitating the humility of Christ and allowing God
to bring about his will. And if, as part of God’s will, an injustice has been
done to us then God’s justice is more satisfying and fulfilling. And if we
allow God’s will to be fulfilled in all
this then we can be sure of a stronger and more faith-filled church. Maybe this
is how God awakens his church and Christians. Maybe this is the new song that
the Psalmist speaks about in our Psalm today.
But it means trusting God. It means giving to God what is
God’s – as St Paul urges - to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. We are not in the
situation Peter found himself in Acts. Our worship may be redefined but not
forbidden. What is being challenged is the peripheral and not the core. We will
be back worshipping together. We will be back receiving the body and blood of
Christ. Until then God stay strong in your faith – stay strong in your prayer
life and be assured that God is with us for he is Emmanuel – God with us.
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