We Are
Recreated in the Image of God by the Cross of Christ
Plotting against Jesus, the Pharisees
attempted “to entangle Him in His talk”
by asking about the payment of taxes to Caesar (Matt. 22:15 ). The Lord pointed
to coins required for the tax, and He answered that we should “render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21 ). But if coins
bearing the image of Caesar should be rendered to him, then man—who is made in
the image of God—must be rendered to the Lord. That tax is paid for us by the
Lord Jesus, the Image of God in the flesh, by His self-offering on the Cross.
And from His Cross, as the Lord’s Anointed, He reigns as the true Caesar over
all nations “from the rising of the sun
and from the west” (Is. 45:6 ).
The Lord once called and anointed Cyrus “to
subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings” (Is. 45:1 ). Now by the preaching
of the Gospel, “in power and in the Holy
Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:4 ),
foreigners from all over the world are “turned
to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9–10 ).
Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: O God, the protector of all who trust in You, have mercy on us that with
You as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose
not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and
reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord,
ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of
authority among us that, guided by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose,
wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under
them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, Your Son,
our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .
Prayer for the nation: Almighty God, You have
given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity
and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful
education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and
confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.
Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may
become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those
to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom,
that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may
our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .
Prayer for responsible leaders: O
merciful Father in heaven, from You comes all rule and authority over the
nations of the world for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of
those who do well. Grciously regard Your servants, those who make, administer,
and judge the laws of this nation, and look in mercy upon all the rulers of the
earth. Grant that all who receive the sword as Your servants may bear it
according to Your command. Enlighten and defend them, and grant them wisdom and
understanding that under their peaceable governance Your people may be guarded
and directed in righteousness, quietness, and unity. Protect and prolong their
lives that we with them may show forth the praise of Your name; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns . . .
Monday, 10 October 2011—Psalm 121:1–4 , 7–8 ; Antiphon, Psalm 121:5 —Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents; it was sung by pilgrims making their way up to the holy city of
Jerusalem for the celebrations of the great feasts and festivals. It speaks of
the help and assistance rendered by the Lord
to His people. The first verse is a bit surprising: for people who had to
travel great distances from home on foot, hills were often dangerous places,
where thieves or wild animals could hide, lying in wait for unwary travelers.
But here, the hills refer to the hills surrounding Jerusalem, the place where
God dwelt with His people in the temple. It is from Him that our help comes, it
is the Lord who watches over us.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011—Psalm 96:1–9 —All the peoples of the earth are
called to sing to the Lord,
because he has provided salvation for the whole world. Christ won peace and
forgiveness not only for Israel but for all people. Since Christ died for all
the world, God’s people are to proclaim the message of salvation to the whole
world. (People’s Bible)
Wednesday, 12 October 2011—Isaiah 45:1–7 —Isaiah was sent by God in the eighth
century b.c. to prophesy to the
nation of Judah (the southern kingdom), warning them to repent of their wicked
ways, lest they suffer the same fate as their northern brethren, who had been
carried off into captivity by the Assyrians. In 586 b.c., the Babylonians
fulfilled God’s decree. But Isaiah also prophesied that God would send someone
to deliver them from the Babylonians and allow them to return to their
homeland. This one was Cyrus, the Persian king. This portion of Isaiah speaks
of him. Astoundingly, though Cyrus was a pagan, God calls him His ‘anointed’.
Though this term was usually reserved for Israelites who were consecrated as
priests, prophets, and kings, this foreign heathen would become the instrument
of God to deliver His people. Likewise, in our day, God works, even through
godless regimes and governments to take care of Hos people, even when we cannot
understand His methods and reasons.
Thursday, 13 October 2011—1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 —In this last portion of the Church
Year, the epistle readings are drawn from St Paul’s letter to the church at
Thessalonica in Greece. The congregation had been established by Paul whilst on
his second missionary journey. All of Paul’s work in the region of Macedonia
was marked by severe persecution; the congregation at Thessalonica faced fierce
opposition from Jews. When he got to Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to
Thessalonica to strengthen the fledgling congregation and to bring a report.
The report cheered Paul’s heart, as it told him that, more than just
withstanding persecution, the congregation was actively spreading the Gospel
throughout Macedonia. The first half of the letter (through 3:9), therefore,
expresses his love, thankfulness, and concern for the Christians at
Thessalonica.
Friday, 14 October 2011—Matthew 22:15–22 —We
Americans often have an adversarial relationship with the civil authorities. We
worry about what the government is going to do to us, rather than for
us. We may be tempted to withhold what we rightly owe, thinking that they won’t
spend it correctly, or that they don’t deserve so much. But Jesus councils us
to pay the taxes we owe, but also drawing a line of demarcation between the
government and God. There is rightly a separation of Church and State. We do
not want the civil government interfering in the affairs of the Church; neither
should the Church interfere in matters of state.
Saturday, 15 October 2011—As the
psalm for the day calls upon all peoples of the earth to praise the Lord, so,
too, the hymn of the day, Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (LSB #940), calls upon every creature, on earth and in heaven, to join in
the chorus.
Lectionary summary on front page from LCMS Commission on
Worship
Artwork by Ed Riojas, ©Higher Things
Prayers
from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House
This week's Time in the Word written by Pr. Jeffrey Keuning
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