October 22, 2023. Divine Service. 8 A.M. |Matthew 22:15–22 | Paying Taxes to Caesar

Jesus took a coin and asked, “Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said, ‘Caesar’s.” Have you ever thought about whose image you were created in and whose likeness is yours by way of your being born again in the water and word of Holy Baptism? It is the image of Jesus Christ with, as the hymnwriter reminds us, the clear inscription, “Jesus crucified for me.” You, and all who have received the saintliness of God in Christ through the water and word and body and blood and the inscription of the word of Jesus Christ, are the “things of God.” So when Jesus says, “whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you do, or render for me,” He is referring to the people for whom He died and rose that they might live like Him and with Him and for Him. When you love one another as He has loved you, in word and deed, you render to God “the things that are God’s.” In other words, you place them under God’s care in Jesus Christ as His word has its way in your life in love for others. It’s what we do as members of the communion of saints. So today we ring the “Communion of Saints” bell. Listen carefully. Inscribed on this bell are the words, “Come, for all things are ready.” Like a dinner bell that rings to tell you that it’s time to eat, this bell rings to tell us that it’s time for the Lord’s Supper, the meal that delivers the saintliness of Christ and fellowship with God, each other, and all those who have gone before us in the faith. It’s a meal that nurtures us in such a way that we do indeed “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ----- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService