Render

[Jesus said,] “Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:19-21 (NRSV) 

“Render unto Caesar.” If we focus only on that we might ignore the second half: “and give to God the things that are God’s.” 

What could that be? Let’s picture the scene. 

There is a crowd of people, each made in God’s image. There is God’s creation, trees, and rocks, and rolling hills. There are the lilies God clothes. The sparrows God feeds. The hairs on everyone’s heads, which do not fall to the ground without God’s notice. Not one.  

That is what belongs to God. Suddenly the coin looks pretty small.  

But the people who have their faces on coins will vie for your undivided attention. And I am afraid they have figured out that if they spew enough hatred, and sow enough chaos, eventually each one of us will render every last scrap of our anxious attention unto them.  

I fear that is when we will feel truly powerless, when we will let go of our neighbors’ hands, when we will come to feel that hope is beyond our reach.  

Years ago while worshipping at Charles Street AME Church in Boston, I learned a song I had not known before: “This joy I have. The world didn’t give it to me. The world didn’t give it. And the world can’t take it away.” 

Our love does not belong to leaders. It belongs to God. 

Our peace does not belong to politicians. It belongs to God.  

Our joy, our freedom, our love, our power, is not theirs. It is God’s. 

Don’t give it away.  

Prayer
All I am, my God, I offer to you. Amen.