Are we for or against God? This is the question the Scripture passages ask us today.

At the death of her son, Ahaziah, who was king of Judah, his mother, Athaliah, quickly moves to destroy all who have royal blood in order to take over the rule of the kingdom. Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba, also acts swiftly by saving Joash, Ahaziah's son, so as to protect and restore the Davidic dynasty from her sister's evil plan. She places Joash in the Temple under the protection of the priest Jehoiada, who later anoints Joash, king of Judah.

When Athaliah realises what has happened, she and those who support her are powerless. The death she afflicted on Ahaziah's other sons soon becomes her fate.

The restoration of the Davidic line demands the renewal of the covenant. A recommitment of the king and people to the Lord and a recommitment of the people to the king. As such, once Baal's temple is destroyed, the king, having re-established the appropriate covenant relationship, moves from the Lord's temple to his palace and throne.

In the Gospel, Jesus challenges His followers to decide whether they wish to worship the one true God or the false gods of worldly possessions. They have to choose between the fragile security and illusory joy of earthly wealth and the true riches of possessing the promises and rewards of God. The disciple has to pile up treasures in heaven. Basically, we are asked to choose whether we are for or against God. Everything that we believe and do as Christians flows from that choice.