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Dear Friends in Christ,
They marveled at His answer. They should marvel because it is so profound and true. The Jewish leaders were looking for ways to put Jesus away and we see that there is this strange alliance between the Pharisees and the Herodians to accomplish that goal. The Pharisees, zealous keepers of the law and the Herodians, a political sect that compromised their practice of the law to work with the Romans, they were followers of Herod Antipas. So they pose this question to Jesus, “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar?
Jesus knew they had no interest in the answer to that question. It was a trick. If he said yes, it is unlawful, then they would tell the Roman leaders that Jesus is leading a revolt and telling people that they don’t have to pay their tax to the Romans. Rome would put Jesus away. If Jesus said no, you should pay your taxes to Caesar, then the Jewish people would turn away from Jesus because they saw the Messiah as one that would ascend to the throne and send the Romans packing. Instead, Jesus says, “Show me the coin. Whose image does this bear?” They said Caesar’s. Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God, the things that are God’s.” Who could argue with that? They marveled.
Remember back in Genesis 1 when God created man in the image of God? He created them male and female. We were created to bear the image of GOD. Coins are just things, but we were created to be the image of God in this created world. Our lives are to reflect that image in all that we say and do. When sin entered this world, that image was shattered by our own disobedience. They posed this question to the very one that God had sent to restore His image in us through His mercy and grace. All of us who have been baptized, have been baptized into Christ's death. It is not longer we who live, but it is Christ who lives in us. Our life in Christ then, is a life to Honor and glorify Him. We have been set free to be the people of God in Christ Jesus. Even though we still live in this sin filled world and we render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, we live to honor the ultimate authority for all peoples, of all generations, the God who created us to be His image.
It has been my privilege to serve in the Minnesota North District of The LCMS as your Mission and Ministry Facilitator of Missions and Congregational Outreach for close to 9 ½ years. May God continue to bless the ministry that takes place in this District. May God use you to His honor and to His glory.
In His Service,
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