Scripture:Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him 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. (Matthew 22 15-22)Reflection:‘Who’s head is this, and whose title?’ What a brilliant question Jesus asks - it immediately silenced those who were hoping to trap him. More than that, it enabled Jesus to assert the sovereignty of God over all things while appearing superficially to support the emperor. But there is another level to what Jesus says, though. An unspoken message being conveyed. Caesar’s head is that of a human being. Human beings, as Jesus’ hearers were well aware, are made in the image of God. So, in a subtle and subversive manner, which they could not challenge, he was telling them that all things are God’s. Here is an important reminder for us all - that God is sovereign over all things. Do we put God first?Lyn Hayes, ALM
Scripture:Then Jesus went through the town and village teaching, as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, 'Lord, will only a few be saved'? He said, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you will try to enter and will not be able'. (Luke 13 - 22-24)Reflection:Regardless of the view of some negative spiritualities, the gates of heaven are open to everyone. This is not a verse that says unless we are 'Christians' there is no hope for us in what comes after! Far from it. Jesus did not come to show us a set of rules that we must stick to - rather a lifestyle, a way of living, that will enable us and others to get the very best out of life right now. Jesus said 'Follow Me, and live', not 'obey me, or else'. Follow Him through the narrow gate - when the world is at war, we do our best to be at peace with those around us; when the world pulls people down, we do our best to lift them up; when the world judges and ostracises, we stand in solidarity with the oppressed and the down-trodden to bring hope and show love.Do not be afraid of going against the tide of the world. Jesus' entire life encompassed just that - in the ancient world he was a rebel and a misfit who brought a message of love and hope to a world that had power and judgment at its heart. Enter through the narrow door, and change your corner of the world, one small act of love and kindness at a time.Vicki Young
Scripture:'This one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3.13-14)Reflection:St Paul, writing from prison, is so clear that the only thing that really matters is to follow his heart, to forget all the advantages he was born with, all the importance and status he earned, and all the hurts and pains he is now suffering. Having seen Jesus as the enemy and his crucifixion as the sign of his weakness, he has come to realise that actually it was his triumph. Nothing matters more to an Olympian than the gold medal; nothing in life, Paul has decided, matters more than aiming for perfection. It is his soul that will win his goal.David Harmsworth
