Leaning into Lent: The Tax Trap
In this message, we dive into how Jesus challenged the corrupt religious and political systems of his time. While taxes today fund public services, in Jesus’ time, they kept people poor and enriched religious leaders. Facing a trap over taxes, Jesus flipped the situation, showing that it’s not about money, but about where our allegiance lies—empire or God. His message wasn’t against wealth but about who we choose to serve.
- How do you personally feel about paying taxes, and what do you think is the most important thing taxes fund in your community?
- What are your thoughts on how the religious establishment benefitted from taxation in Jesus’ time? Where does that happen today? And what are the dangers of this?
- What do you think was the significance of the House of Annas’ influence and control over religious and political matters during Jesus’ time? How does this compare to today’s religious climate?
- Have you ever thought about Jesus’ crucifixion as being tied to economic issues rather than religious ones? What do you think of the idea that Jesus was executed because of his challenge to the economic power structures?
- Jesus was not a threat to Rome, but a threat to the religious establishment. In what ways do people stand up for their beliefs today that might challenge our political, social, and economic systems?
- How do you personally navigate the balance between living in a world that operates by certain economic and political systems while also striving to follow Jesus?
- Why do you think dictators or oppressive regimes have historically used Jesus’ teachings to justify their actions? How can we ensure that we don’t misuse religious teachings to support injustice today?
- In what ways might we unknowingly support systems or values that contradict our personal beliefs, and where do you see these inconsistencies in your own life? (Example: Did you grow up with the restriction of not working on Sundays, yet still going out to eat after church, where others were working?”)