You can follow today’s reading by clicking on this sentence.
What do we have that is God’s? That is the question which most clearly exercises my brain (and, I hope, my heart) as I read this passage. In the reading, Jesus manages to disarm first the Pharisees, and then the Sadducees, with answers which surprised them and challenged them to the core. It’s easy for us, as most of us reading this would be on Jesus’ ‘side’ to see what he says here and the way he says it as being clever ways of putting wrong thinking right. It might well be. At the same time, though, it’s important for us to remember that in both cases, Jesus was challenging deeply and passionately held beliefs. Many of us struggle when the firm foundations of our faith, what we have been told is true and right and good and pleasing to God, are shaken. It’s important we allow others to think, ponder and pray as they are challenged and don’t prod or poke people into our way of thinking. Being open to learning from others is very important.
So, what do we have that is God’s? I suppose the simple, pithy answer might be all we have and all we are, but I think Jesus here is saying that people of faith have a responsibility, being in the world but not of it, not to abdicate responsibility. We pay our taxes, we are law-abiding, kind, generous, joyful, showing mercy to all. Stand against injustice, of course, by all means do, we must. Work out, in each circumstance and situation what it means to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. For some of us that won’t mean being put under pressure at all. For others it could be life-threatening. Wherever we find ourselves though, it is good for us to remember that it is God who can be relied upon, it is God who is bringing about life, hope, and the possibility of a future with him for all. The hope of the world is not threatened, it is sure and certain. God will have his way. His kingdom cannot be shaken. Let’s be confident and loving people today.