Sermon 22nd October 2023 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Text Matthew 22:15-22 – Image is everything
Today Jesus’s image is inflated by the Pharisees: “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. You just
feel there’s a “BUT” coming soon. And sure enough we’re told that the Pharisees
intention was a plot to entrap Jesus. Tell us, what you think. Is it lawful to
pay taxes to the emperor, or not. They’re trying to get Jesus with one of those
– damned if you do and damned if you don’t scenarios. Much like Jesus caught
them out regarding John’s Baptism – was it of human origin or from God. Whatever
answer they gave they were doomed. If it was from God then why didn’t you
believe him. If it was from human origin they were afraid of a revolt. Likewise
if Jesus says it is right to pay taxes to Caesar he could lose followers who
were hoping that Jesus would lead a revolution against the Roman rule. If he
says it is not right he could face charges of treason against the Romans. Brilliant
as always, Jesus turns the tables on them. Whose image is printed on the coin. They
say – Caesar’s. So, Jesus says, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give
to God what belongs to God.
So the question is – what belongs to God? Where is God’s image
imprinted? Well, we go back to the beginning of creation in Genesis chapter
one. God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. So God
created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and
female he created them – in his own image. What belongs to God – we do. Where
is God’s image imprinted? In us. Our very lives. As St Paul also testifies in 1
Corinthians: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were
bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. And again, Therefore,
I urge you, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
It’s interesting watching our grandson growing up. As he gets older and
more interactive you begin to observe similarities in looks and actions not
just with parents but also as grandparents. This includes both looks and
behaviors. They copy things you do but also some natural instinct behaviours
are noticed because they are family. And, in a sense, this is what Jesus is
referring to in the 2nd part of his answer. We render to Caesar what is
Caesar’s because the coin has his image on it. But we also offer to God what
has his image on it – ourselves – our very lives. This is what Jesus sums up as
the greatest commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your hearts, soul,
mind and strength. And, love your neighbour as yourself because your neighbour
also bears God’s image as you do. As John says – how can we love God whom we
have not seen if we cannot love our neighbour whom we can see.
And so the way we treat one another reflects on our love for God. That’s
why when Jesus asked, what is the greatest commandment – another attempt to
trap him – he again brilliantly answered this by saying – love God with all
your heart and love your neighbour as yourself. He didn’t have to choose one of
the 10 commandments above the other because LOVE for God and neighbour ensured
we kept all of them. The reason I don’t steal from my neighbour is not because
God’s commandment forbids me to do so or because I fear punishment if I’m
caught. No, I don’t steal from my neighbour because I love them and don’t want
to hurt them. And because they are created in God’s image I don’t want to hurt
God either. And every single commandment or law can be kept in such a manner. Even
if we’re not sure which commandment applies to a certain situation – or we’re
not even sure if it’s against God’s will then we can apply this measure – is it
hurting my neighbour? Is it going to reflect poorly on God’s image?
Did you know that it is an offence under the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981
to intentionally deface, disfigure, mutilate or destroy Australian banknotes or
coins? It incurs a hefty fine and up to 2 years imprisonment. God values human
life even more. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. All life belongs
to God and God values life as he has imprinted his own image onto each and
every person. And we are called to respect that in ourselves and in every
person. Do not ever undervalue yourself. You were bought at a very hefty price
– not with silver or gold but with the life of God’s one and only Son.
Do not ever undervalue your neighbour because they are your brother or
sister in Christ. Which is why God commands us to love our neighbour as ourself
– because we are one in Christ – in the image of God. Even though sin marred
our relationship with God we never lost God’s love for us. Sin put a barrier
between us an God that did not allow Moses to look at God’s face an live. But
at Jesus death, as the temple curtain was torn in two – Jesus opened up our
access to God. So much so that we don’t just look at God’s face but we receive
his Son’s body and blood into our hands. We are able to hold God’s Holy Word in
our hands and through that word and water become his children with full
inheritance restored. Even the angels see us as if they are staring into God’s
face as Jesus says in Matthew 18. See that you do not despise one of these
little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of
my Father in heaven.
So when you look around you – see what God sees in your neighbour. When
you look in the mirror – see what God sees.
As Paul says in 2 Corinthians: We reflect the glory of the Lord. And the
Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into
his glorious image. His own image – an image he loves so much that he
sacrificed his one and only son so he could have you in heaven with him.
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