Sunday October 19th, 2014 19th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 22:15-22
When they heard this, they were amazed. (verse 22a)
The Pharisees thought they had the right interpretation of ethical and theological issues; they thought they lived their lives the right way. They were so convinced of their correctness that they sought to silence the person who had a different view. They were intent on putting Jesus out of circulation so that he could no longer corrupt the people as they thought he had been doing. They had to get to him; they had to trap him, silence him, put him to death.
The Pharisees were unsuccessful; Jesus could not be silenced. Their question that was meant to trap Jesus, did not trap him. Indeed, those who were against Jesus were amazed by his answer; they left him and went away. Those who set out to silence Jesus were the ones silenced.
Today Jesus wants us to be found in silence more often – a silence to which Jesus has brought us; a silence in which Jesus can speak to use; a silence through which Jesus can act. Our posture of silence is a posture of hope. Our hope is in Christ, the Risen One who lives with us and works in us, providing answers for us and our world. Our posture of hope acknowledges that we do not have the answers, but that Christ has and is the answer.
Amazed by you, O God, we long for your wisdom. Amen. — DB
Contributed by Outsmarted!
The Pharisees thought they had the right interpretation of ethical and theological issues; they thought they lived their lives the right way. They were so convinced of their correctness that they sought to silence the person who had a different view. They were intent on putting Jesus out of circulation so that he could no longer corrupt the people as they thought he had been doing. They had to get to him; they had to trap him, silence him, put him to death.
The Pharisees were unsuccessful; Jesus could not be silenced. Their question that was meant to trap Jesus, did not trap him. Indeed, those who were against Jesus were amazed by his answer; they left him and went away. Those who set out to silence Jesus were the ones silenced.
Today Jesus wants us to be found in silence more often - a silence to which Jesus has brought us; a silence in which Jesus can speak to use; a silence through which Jesus can act. Our posture of silence is a posture of hope. Our hope is in Christ, the Risen One who lives with us and works in us, providing answers for us and our world. Our posture of hope acknowledges that we do not have the answers, but that Christ has and is the answer.
