Confronted with a question about taxation, Jesus forces us to question whether anything or anyone deserves our highest loyalty other than God.

Jesus frequently compares God's coming kingdom to a banquet feast to which many are invited, but not everyone is anxious or willing to attend. Today's parable illustrates that we can all be divided up into those who are eager for God's kingdom and those who are not.

The apostle Paul explains how we often put our faith in things other than Christ, but that only Christ is worthy of our faith or able to bring us salvation.

With another parable, Jesus once again illustrates that actions speak louder than words, and that our faith is about doing, not just saying or believing the right things.

Jesus' Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates that our own forgiveness is bound together with our forgiveness of others.

The apostle Paul urges us to rise from our spiritual slumber and wake up to the new day dawning through Jesus Christ.

To people who were taught to fear a wrathful God, Jesus revealed a loving, forgiving God who understands our human pain and weakness. The letter to the Hebrews assures us that this means we can come to God boldly and confidently.

We all have to make our own choices about who Jesus is to us, choices that determine what we believe, how we act, etc. But we have to spend time with him and learn from him, not simply accept other people's definitions or beliefs.

A psalm that celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles is also a prayerful call for unity among God's people, something we still strive for today.

Fear can restrict our lives and create doubt, but Jesus illustrates how faith can overcome fear.