They brought Jesus 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

Readings this week :  Isaiah 45 : 1 - 7; 1 Thessalonians 1 : 1 - 10; Matthew 22 : 15 - 22

Thought for this week

There is a phrase from 1 Chronicles 29 we sometimes use in churches, “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you”. Actually a very challenging phrase. Do we really live like this? Knowing that the Lord provides all we need, and everything we give back to Him is His anyway!

We might think of this in the material sense, and it is good to give back to the Lord what He has given us in service to Him, and in thankfulness to Him.

In our Gospel reading today Jesus has a conversation with the Pharisees trying to trip Him up into not paying taxes, or handling the Roman coin that was actually unacceptable to Jews because it bore the head and divine claims of Caesar.

Yet Jesus is asking, who do we really belong to, and who does the coin belong to? Jesus claims us for His own. He is our Good Shepherd. Our Lord, Saviour and true King. He reassures us we are His when we believe and trust in Him and acknowledge Him in our lives. Jesus overrides the claims and authorities of the world. We can celebrate and be truly thankful that Jesus’ authority and sovereign rule brings life, peace, and hope in abundance.

Rev Paul

A prayer for peace in the Middle East written by The Very Revd Canon Richard Swell, Dean of St George's College Jerusalem.

O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land.

Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land.

While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples.

Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for to all of us you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

People to pray for :

Those bringing aid to Gaza, and those who are held captive

Children on half - term