In this text Jesus was asked about paying taxes to Caesar. It’s a particularly ironic text for us in a place whose license plates read “Taxation without Representation”! We will take the time together this week to explore the relationship of Christians to the government in the place in which they find themselves. This is particularly important in our context and at this time.

God's message and authority have always been communicated by His sent messengers. In this section, we see the religious leaders respond to Jesus' bold claims of authority and divinity, and learn how we all should respond to God's servants.

God's message and authority have always been communicated by His sent messengers. In this section, we see the religious leaders respond to Jesus' bold claims of authority and divinity, and learn how we all should respond to God's servants.

Jesus’ long journey to Jerusalem finally comes to an end. As He arrives in the city, we see a swirling emotions of joy, dismay, frustration, anger, and sorrow. In all of it, there is a dichotomy between those who follow Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. In their responses, we can see the characteristics of true and false worship.

Jesus’ long journey to Jerusalem finally comes to an end. As He arrives in the city, we see a swirling emotions of joy, dismay, frustration, anger, and sorrow. In all of it, there is a dichotomy between those who follow Jesus and the religious leaders of the time. In their responses, we can see the characteristics of true and false worship.

Throughout the Gospel we see Jesus responding the to grumbling of religious people, and the expectations that he shatters. While it is all too easy for us to read even these sorts of texts self-righteously, there is a reality that they stand as a confrontation to each of us – to our wrong-headed expectations of how God ought to work. Ultimately, we will see in this parable that each one of us has been given a sacred trust to steward. And we will answer to our Master in the end for how we have invested His abundant generosity.

Throughout the Gospel we see Jesus responding the to grumbling of religious people, and the expectations that he shatters. While it is all too easy for us to read even these sorts of texts self-righteously, there is a reality that they stand as a confrontation to each of us – to our wrong-headed expectations of how God ought to work. Ultimately, we will see in this parable that each one of us has been given a sacred trust to steward. And we will answer to our Master in the end for how we have invested His abundant generosity.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man (and a wee little man was he…). His encounter with Jesus is a funny story that cuts to the heart of Jesus’ identity and mission. It also shows us how we can respond to Jesus, and reveals some of the obstacles that get in our way.

Zacchaeus was a wee little man (and a wee little man was he…). His encounter with Jesus is a funny story that cuts to the heart of Jesus’ identity and mission. It also shows us how we can respond to Jesus, and reveals some of the obstacles that get in our way.

This text begins with Jesus making a call to his disciples to see the path laid out in front of them. He called them to see and understand the mission he had come to accomplish. Yet, the disciples were blind. In a beautiful and stunning turn in the story, it is a blind man who really sees Jesus for who He is. We explored spiritual blindness and sight and saw that Jesus is the One who can make those who were once blind see.