It’s always dangerous to try to set a trap for Jesus. It simply will not go well. You will only end up caught in your own trap. You will be crushed by your foolishness and your guilt. When the Pharisees sought to trick Jesus by asking him about paying taxes to the pagan Roman Caesars, they were certain that they had finally boxed Him in where He couldn’t escape. But that was only because money was the Pharisees’ god. But Jesus stepped right over their idol to expose their hypocrisy and their hearts. “Render to God the things that are God’s.” And what are the things that belong to God? Everything. Caesar, Caesar’s money, and you. All of it has been created by God. All of it exists for God’s purposes. All of it stands under His Almighty control. Caesar’s image might be on the coin but you have been made in the image of God and He has written His Name on you in Holy Baptism. You belong to Him along with everything you have. He bought you at the price of His Son’s precious Blood. We are therefore to render to God everything we have and are – time, talents, and treasures, thoughts, words, and deeds. Nothing is yours, not even you. You belong to God who has laid claim to you to rescue you from death and bring you to eternal life. How then do you render to God what belongs to Him? You order yourself according to His Word and live according to your vocations rather than your self-serving desires. You hear, learn, and treasure His Word. You gather to Him each Lord’s Day according to His command to give you life. You honor those God has placed in authority over you. You pay taxes. You tithe. You pray. You speak the truth. You discipline your flesh. You care for your family. You love your neighbor. In this way we render to God the things that are His. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer