“Heads or tails?” he called out.
The boast of the magician was that, without knowing in advance which side of the coin the audience volunteer would name, he would be able to produce a match, and keep doing so for multiple times.
The volunteer from the audience, having carefully watched the entire process, replied with, “tails.”
When the magician lifted his hand, there was the coin. But, to the surprise of us all, it was neither heads nor tails: the coin was balanced on its edge.
Seeming surprised and mystified by the outcome, the magician apologized and then, leaving that first coin on its edge, repeated the sequence with a second coin ... only to have the second coin end on edge, as well.
He kept repeating the trick, each time adding a coin to the growing collection, all standing on their edges.
Eventually, we got it: the trick wasn’t whether the magician could force a heads or tail each time to match what the volunteer declared. It was that he could make the coins “land” on their edges and keep them that way as he added to their number.
It was a really nifty coin trick.
Everyone knows, of course, that there are two sides to a coin. We can flip it over and over: obverse or reverse, front or back, heads or tails. But few of us stop to think about that third side of the coin: the edge. In a way, it’s that aspect Jesus explored when he was confronted in this week’s Matthew passage.
Those who wished Jesus harm showed up with what they believed was a sure-fire way to get Him in trouble. Knowing full well how negatively the Jewish people regarded their Roman conquerors, they reasoned they could trip up Jesus with a "can't win" question.
Should the people pay the Roman tax?
They figured that, no matter which answer He gave, there would be trouble for Jesus. If He said, "Yes," then he would fall out of favor with the Jewish people. And, if He said, "No," they could report him to the Romans as one who was preaching sedition. Then the Romans would solve their Jesus problem for them.
Of course, they had no idea who they were up against. Fully aware of their nefarious intent, Jesus asks them to show him a coin. He then poses a simple question: "Whose image and inscription is stamped on this?" I can just see those guys, scratching their heads, wondering just what Jesus is up to, starting to feel a little nervous, but, in the end, remaining confident in their ploy. After all, how bad could it be? The answer was clear, and they gave it: Caesar's!
And that's when he does it, turns things on their edge, makes everyone look at the third side of the coin. He confounds them by instructing them to "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's."
Brilliant!
Most of us, though, like those who asked the question, miss the point. We, like they, think this confrontation was about taxes and choosing sides in a conflict. We've missed the third side of the coin, so to speak. Look back at the scenario. It's clear what belongs to Caesar in that encounter: it has his imprint on it. But what about the second part of what Jesus says? What is it that should be given to God?
The answer?
Us.
We bear the imprint and inscription of God.
God wants us.
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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
Proper 24 (29) (October 22, 2017)
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//
Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
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The air is crispy cool this late in the year, even in Texas. So, pull on a jacket or sweater Friday morning and join us at the Waco “Egg and I” Restaurant for Lectionary Breakfast. We start at 8:00-ish and try to wrap things up around 9:00. We’re meeting in their function room: entrance around the side and near the back. Ask for the DaySpring group if you can’t find us.
Blessings,
Steve
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1. An untitled version of this reflection was circulated in October 2011.
2. Photo from: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a-50MIDkzKc
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