In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 22, we hear a famous saying of Jesus. He is asked whether it is lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar. His reply: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
We live in very divisive times, and lots of people have a problem with our president. There will always be a segment of the population that has a problem with whomever resides in the White House. The first reading today from Isaiah 45 gives some insight into leaders and rulers; in Jesus’ time, Caesar.
The LORD says of Cyrus, king at the time, “I have called you by your name, giving you a title, though you know me not. It is I who arm you, though you know me not…I am the LORD, there is no other.” In other words, God ordained that Cyrus would be king. (He was a “secular” king, not a king of Israel or Judah.) Same with Caesar, same with other rulers. While these leaders and rulers are not always good, God is always at work. Let’s allow God to work on our hearts, that we may pray for whatever “Caesar” is in power. In the end, all power, like everything else, belongs to God anyway.
Father, help us to always remember that no matter who is in power here on earth, ultimately all power rests in you. Amen.
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