Our Weekly Thought – October 12 - 18, 2020

You know things are heating up for Jesus when two warring religious groups the Pharisees and the Herodians agree to unite together against Jesus (Matthew 22:15-22). In a lesson we looked at three weeks ago (Matthew 21:25-27), Jesus asked an incriminating question of the chief priests. So, trying to turn the tables on Jesus, the officials ask Jesus a question about taxes, figuring if he said you need not pay taxes, they would get on him for being an insurrectionist. If he went along with taxes, he would be accused of being a Roman collaborator. So, win-win against Jesus. Jesus instead asked about the writing and inscription on the coin. Whose is that? “Well, Caesar’s,” they replied. So, Jesus replied, give that stuff to Caesar. Then, with everything that has God’s name and likeness on it, give that to God. As you look around at the beautiful fall on this gorgeous Island, I hope that you will be filled with the wonder of all that God has created and the panoply of beauty that surrounds us. Then, with a grateful heart, find ways to give thanks to God that involve reaching out to others.