Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Romans 12:17 (NRSV)
Reading. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Paul first made his way to Thessalonica after being freed from prison in Philippi (c/f Acts 16:6ff) After preaching in the Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica some of the leading Jews took offence at his preaching and so Paul and Silas hastily departed. However, despite Paul’s departure the gospel took root in the hearts of many in Thessalonica and a vigorous congregation of Christians, from both the Jewish and gentile populations emerged. In this letter Paul is writing to the church to encourage them in their life and witness and is holding up their faith as an example to other congregations. Paul is also exalting in the power of the gospel to take root not though clever schemes but through the proclimation of the gospel itself. Even though the Thessalonians only had a brief time of teaching the resultant effect of the gospel that they heard transformed the life of the new believers. Through the Spirit they became a powerful witness to the salvation that Jesus’ death and resurrection made. The gospel has made a radical difference to the believers and for this reason Paul gives thanks for the church in Thessalonica. Paul writes in a very relaxed way to the church here as we can see from the opening paragraph of the letter. He makes no claim to be an apostle as is his usual opening; instead he links himself equally with Silvanus and Timothy. The power of the gospel is the only status he needs and in this opening chapter he sums it all up by giving thanks to God for the salvation that has been won through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is therefore reminding his readers and us that all we need is to be found in Jesus Christ and his Good News. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek”. Romans 1:16 (NRSV)
Prayer. Lord we thank you that Jesus is all we need. In this world when so many things have changed and the future seems uncertain, we thank you that Jesus is the anchor in whom we trust. We thank you that he is the one who will lead us through to the peace and blessing that is your gift to all believers. Like the psalmist may we cast all our cares on you. (Psalm 55:22). Because of your love and power may we hold firm with expectancy to the promised future that is ours by your grace. We thank you for the great fellowship of believers who around the world give all thanks and praise to you. May our prayers and praises honour you and give you the glory that is yours by right. This we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading . Matthew 22:15-22. The catch cry throughout the Roman Empire was, “Caesar is Lord!” It was this slogan which on the one hand unified the Empire but on the other caused serious problems for both Jews and Christians. Neither Jews nor Christians could truthfully say that Caesar was God without violating their core belief. The persecution that Christians faced often sprang from the refusal to declare Caesar to be god. They were charged with being “atheists” for they did not believe in the divinity of Caesar! Hand in hand with that was the fact that in the Roman occupied countries Caesar ruled and though he was not popular he had ultimate power and especially the power to charge taxes. Now even in a “free” country few really like paying taxes and so Caesar’s tax was most unpopular. Therefore the Pharisees thought that they were on a winner with this question. No one liked the poll tax and so to retain popular appeal Jesus had to agree with the people. However to publicly deny Caesar and his authority was a treasonable offence. So he was caught, but his answer was as always superb: Not that he put God and Caesar on the same level but he differentiated between the coercive exploitation of Caesar’s tax with God’s constant giving without restriction. This was a difference the Jews clearly understood for they had experienced in their history both the violence of Rome and the generous grace of God. So while the question was set as a trap, Jesus’ answer opened up a whole new area of debate for he used the answer to ask a further question. Namely, “Whose kingdom do you want to support”. It was not just a question of material versus spiritual, but it was about kingdom versus kingdom. The Romans sustained their kingdom on violence, oppression and slavery, whilst God’s kingdom was built on justice, mercy and peace. The Pharisees’ question was both devious and clever but Jesus’ response hangs waiting for an answer right up to this day. “Whose kingdom do you want to support”?.
Prayer. Lord we pray often for your kingdom to come, now as we contemplate this story from the life of Jesus, may we look to you for guidance, that the benefits of your kingdom might come to all humanity and that we would be a part of its coming. May your justice and mercy flow down like a never ending stream and, may your love touch every life: May we learn to reach out to others with the love and gifts with which we have been blessed: May we be open to share the bounty that this world provides: May we always remember that all that we have is received as a gift from you and so hold those gifts as part of the equipping for us to serve others. In all that we do may your name be honoured and glorified. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Collect. Jesus, in the midst of deceit, you deal truthfully; confronted by fickleness, you are faithful. Show us how to give all we are and have to God, for you are sovereign Lord, now and for ever. Amen.
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