Devotional thoughts for Monday

Monday 3. November 2014 

Trinity 20 

Jesus said to the Pharisees and the Herodians: "Therefore render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and render unto God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22,21) 

Thirty years ago, liberation theology was popular in Central and South America. Its ideology still influences the Church in some areas to this very day. One of liberation theology's tenets was that Jesus is a political liberator, namely He is all about freeing those who are under an oppressive, tyrannical government. As such, some liberation theologians called for Christians and the Church to rebel against the State. 

Unfortunately, the Gospels do not portray Jesus as a political liberator of the downtrodden. Oh, many of the Jews wished He had been such a messiah and had liberated them from Roman rule and occupation. But in Matthew 22 Jesus upholds the legality of the Roman State and its government over Judea and Palestine: Jesus says to pay taxes to Caesar. 

For us in the United States, tomorrow is election day. As Christians and citizens of this nation we should go to our polling place and vote. This duty is a privilege and a rendering unto our "Caesar" what is his. Jesus wants us to be good citizens of our nation. 

He also wants us to be good Christians and render unto God what is His. We do this with faithful worship attendance at the Divine Service. We give thanks, praise and pray to God. We sing hymns and hear His Word preached. We support our congregation with offerings and service. As God has served us, so we in return serve Him, and we do so from faith without any thought of earning God's favor by it. We are already favored by God the Father, and this is solely through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

Prayer: O Almighty God, You invite us to trust in You for our salvation. Deal with us not in the severity of Your judgment but by the greatness of Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (A81, Treasury of Daily Prayer)