Words are powerful. We use them in loving service to our neighbor. Sometimes that means proclaiming the Law or what sin is according to the Lord and calling all to repent. Sometimes that means pointing to the true hope and comfort of the Gospel of the Crucified, Risen, and Ascended Jesus. Both serve God’s purpose of saving humanity from sin and damnation, We seek to be useful tools for His purposes, so we never aim for superficial warm-and-fuzzies or empty drive-by chuckles. Check back every Monday for a new message connected to the Gospel for the following Sunday, occasionally a special Feast or Festival Day, and every now and then something relevant for the season.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you.”

Proverbs 1:20-23

Current Sign

November 2nd-8th, 2026

The Pharisees and the Herodians try to trap Jesus in His words with a question about paying taxes. The Herodians were pro-Rome; their concern wasn’t righteousness in the sight of God (Mark 6) but ingratiating themselves with Rome (Luke 13; Luke 23; Acts 12), lining their own pockets (Mark 8:15), and maintaining their political place of power (Matthew 2). The Pharisees were anti-Rome, but their concern wasn’t really righteousness in the sight of God either (Matthew 6:5), but upholding their self-righteousness and public image (Luke 21:1-4), lining their own pockets (Luke 16:14), and maintaining their religious place of power (John 11:48). While even All the money in the world belongs to the Lord (Psalm 50:10-11), Jesus flips the table on them (pun intended) by pointing out that they are concerned with the wrong thing: If the coin is bears Caesar’s image, then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Then give to God that which bears His image: Us! We are not to be concerned with the world and it’s demand for tribute if that it somehow outside of God’s control or some kind of violation of the 1st Commandment. Instead, we are called to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship,” (Romans 12:1).