The Twenty First Sunday After Pentecost - Matthew 22:15-22 - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr
October 18, 2026 – Matthew 22:15-22 We have an interesting Gospel reading this week. Jesus is asked what seems like a simple question, but his answer leaves us wrestling with a much bigger one. It’s no secret that the Pharisees are not fans of Jesus. Throughout Matthew’s Gospel, we’ve been reading about the ongoing battle between the religious leaders when it comes to their authority versus Jesus’ authority. They’re looking for any way to discredit him in front of his followers. The Pharisees resented Roman rule and the taxes that were imposed on the Jewish people. The Herodians were supporters of Herod’s ruling dynasty. They supported the system that imposed Roman taxes. They supported Roman authority. While the two groups had very different views about Rome, they both agreed on one thing: Jesus was a threat. In the most unlikely of pairs, the Pharisees and the Herodians come together to try to “trick” Jesus. They ask him, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”...