Isaiah 45:1-7; Psalm 96:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
The Rev. Drew Brislin
As Veteran’s Day approaches, a particular movie that is always played, especially on channels like Turner Movie Classics, is the 1941 Oscar winning Sergeant York starring Gary Cooper. It is based on the true story of a rugged Appalachian farmer from Tennessee named Alvin York who finds religion and in the wake of America’s entrance into World War I is drafted into military service. York is patriotic, a crack shot being an excellent hunter and extremely hard worker, however, his interpretation of the Bible and faith pits him against going to war because as he says in the movie “killin’ is against the Good Book.” York files for status as a conscientious objector which is repeatedly denied and reluctantly enlist in the army. His repeated appeals at the rejection of his filing is finally brought to the attention of his commanding officers who are perplexed because of his work ethic and skills with a rifle. In the movie he is called into a meeting with his commanding officers who make several attempts to convince him to change his mind. He is given a U.S. history book telling the story of all the people who had fought for the founding of our nation and is given time to go home and think. In the movie York goes up on a mountain with the history book and his Bible to pray. The wind blows open his Bible to our Gospel lesson this morning that seems to help clarify for York or justify his going to war. So often we hear this Gospel story and want to project things on it like it is about separation of church and state, however, I think, however, Jesus is trying to go a little deeper with us this morning. York was knowingly or not looking for a way to operate in the world and at the same time be faithful to God. It was not an either/or situation but rather a both/and. In rendering to Cesar what is Cesar’s, York was able to justify at least to himself engaging in combat, knowing that he was giving God what is God’s in his heart.
The world can seem like a scary place today whenever we turn on the evening news or read the paper or whatever news outlet one avails themselves to for information. Wars in Ukraine and Israel are having far reaching effects for the world and how we engage with our neighbors. In our Gospel reading from Matthew this morning the writer is recalling the Parable of the Wicked Tenants who refused to give the landowner the fruits that he was due. Matthew reveals for us that the Pharisees along with Herodians who would have been politically opposed to one another have joined forces in an attempt to trap Jesus through their questioning. Our reading that begins with flattery will soon reveal a sinister nature in the questioning of Jesus and the desire to paint him in a corner. However, one to not be shy of flipping tables Jesus certainly turns the table on his inquisitors. In asking whose image is on the coin, Jesus gets the Pharisees to confess that they have brought an idol image into the temple. Those who are so dedicated to following Torah have now broken it. Jesus is persistently telling us that he has come into the world to save sinners and is doing so in restoring us to relationship with him and God. What consistently makes Jesus mad though is hypocrisy and, in this exchange, he gets those who seek to trap him to admit to their hypocrisy. We have to live and work and move in the world. God created the world and said it was good. and when we keep God at the center of our lives knowing when and how to make those decisions can become clearer for us. Often, we are never sure though and that is when we act with faith knowing that we are trying. As God’s beloved creation we are stamped with his image on our hearts. Paul later writes to the Corinthians, “As long as one gives God what is due, it matters little what is given the emperor.”
Alvin York will ship off to France with his fellow soldiers and be engaged in combat in the Argonne Forest. On October 8, 1918, he along with help from seven others will capture 132 German prisoners. As a result of his actions on the day he will be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, three Bronze Stars and various other honors from different countries. He returns home a hero and is later questioned about his actions in light of his filing of conscientious objector status. In the movie he tells us that his motivation for fighting was to save lives. After the war Alvin is presented with multiple opportunities to make money for himself from his story and his image which he repeatedly rejects and instead opts to give those opportunities to various charities. For years he refused to let a movie be made about him until he decided to build an interdenominational Bible School near his home in Tennessee. Sergeant York found himself in what he first perceived to be an either he follows God’s command to not kill, or he does not. The Pharisees and Herodians presented Jesus with what they perceived to be a ‘will you follow the Law or not question.’ Jesus shows us that what is most important is that we give our hearts to God and the rest will follow. In giving our hearts to God, our motivations will be good. We won’t always get it right but in loving God our intentions will be good. If we are in relationship with God, we can bear the good fruit due the “Landowner” due to God. How do we keep our motivation in the right place? I think it begins with seeking God’s will in prayer and seeking God’s will. How are we looking for God working in our lives today?