Reflection for the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

“"But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?’”

The Pharisees have had enough. Ever since entering Jerusalem, Jesus has not hidden in the shadows as they would have liked, as they would have hoped. No, instead he has spoken openly, with parables and teachings that, while never directly naming them as the "bad guys," have not put them in the best light. Each parable and story about this promised "kingdom of God" has been just clear enough that the Pharisees have realized that Jesus has been talking backhandedly at them. Who does he think he is? He can't just come in here and talk about them, the ones with power, in this way.

So they decide, again, to try and trick him into saying something that they can use against him. He is getting dangerous, after all. The people seem to love him, they don't hear the danger in what he is saying, they don't see the ways that his teachings could uproot all that has been established, could make the Roman oppressors pretty mad.

Finally, a plot: "Tell us, Jesus, Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" A trick question, of course, since the "law" could be interpreted to mean the law of God, Torah, or it could mean that laws that the Roman oppressors had imposed on them. Either way he answers, he will be in trouble.

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?"

Jesus knew what they were trying to do. It isn’t the only reason that he gives the answer he gives, one that has been quoted numerous times, and twisted and used for many different purposes. But he knew what they were trying to do. He finally calls them out on their intentions, and yet he still answers their question.

What parts of our hearts and intentions do we secretly hope that Jesus won’t find out? What questions or demands do we make of our God, and yet hope that our true fears are not seen by the one who, in fact, sees everything?

It doesn’t matter what our “true intentions” are. We cannot hide from God. And yet, also, we find comfort in the fact that, even knowing their attempts to trap him, Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question. He does not say, “Hey! That’s a trick question, so I’m not going to answer!” He names what he sees in them, and then answers any way.

It is the same with us. Jesus knows our hearts. Jesus knows our fears, knows our questionings, knows our doubts, knows our truths. And yet, he answers us any way. God in Christ Jesus loves us, and so does not abandon us when we question, when we doubt, when we lash out in anger, frustration, or fear.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.