Were You There? (Lent Week 4)

 (Place yourself in this fictional glimpse based on Mark12:13-17).

  During your visit, your friend invited you to hear Jesus speak. You had heard Jesus speak once before and were eager to listen to him again. You definitely were not disappointed! His words challenged you to worship God not out of fear or obligation but with a heart filled with joy and love.

 When Jesus finished one of his teachings, a group of Pharisees and Herodians approached him. Your friend shook his head and said, "Here it comes."

 "What do you mean?"

 "The Pharisees don't really like Jesus."

 "Why not? Why wouldn't they like someone who speaks God's truth?" you ask.

 "I'm not really sure. The Pharisees are always testing Jesus. It's like they want people to know they are wiser than Jesus. Jesus is a lot more popular than them. I think they are jealous. There have even been whispers of the Pharisees wanting to arrest Jesus."

 Now it's your turn to shake your head. "Why would anyone want to arrest Jesus? Does anyone know God better than him?"

 "One of the Pharisees begins speaking,' Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone's opinion. You do not regard a person's status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"

Your friend mutters, "Not one of us thinks we should be paying taxes to Caesar. They want Jesus to speak against the Roman law."

 "Jesus answered, 'Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.' They brought one to him and he said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?'

 They replied to him, 'Caesar's.'

 So Jesus said to them, 'Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God."

 Jesus handed the coin back to the Pharisees. Realizing that Jesus' answer had satisfied Jewish customs and Roman law, the Pharisees pretended to thank Jesus for his wisdom and walked away. Jesus continued his teachings as if he had never been interrupted.

 Later that evening, you reflected on Jesus' teachings. You wondered how your faith could be more of a reflection of your love for God rather than just following rules. You were very saddened and confused by the Pharisees' actions today and other circumstances your friend had shared with you. You wondered if you had ever unknowingly acted like Pharisees. You asked God to open your heart to some difficult questions that kept nagging your conscience as you prayed.

 You began to pray, "Lord, do I appreciate the faith of those around me even when we disagree? Do I hold my knowledge of the faith as something better than others? Do I react with mercy and compassion as Jesus taught, or do I respond with righteousness and jealousy?" You sat in silence for a long time allowing your eyes to be opened. 

 "Lord, help me to love more. I am worried about Jesus' safety. Please help those who have hardened their hearts to Jesus. Amen.”

-Susan