by Rev Steve Nickodemus

What Do I Owe?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.'”
Matthew 22:21

Today is a day that we celebrate being part of the United States of America. There will be fireworks, parades, and families getting together,  but the one overriding symbol of Independence Day is the symbol of the American flag. Daily, schoolchildren face the flag and recite, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…”.

Perhaps sometimes we forget what we are doing when we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We are promising loyalty to our country, and so we should. We have been given great gifts here in the USA, gifts given to us through the sacrifice of millions of Americans who have come before us.

Jesus reminds us in today’s verse that we owe allegiance, and loyalty, to the country, and the government, in which we live. However, He reminds us of a much greater reality…that we owe God everything. Our Lord lovingly created us, preserves us, and provides for us. Even more amazingly He sent His own Son, who sacrificed Himself upon the cross, that we might be given the gift of eternal life forever with Him.

For this atoning sacrifice, we owe our Lord total allegiance. We pledge to follow Him, and serve Him alone.  We cast ourselves on His mercy, and trust only in His great Name.

Yes, July 4th is a great day to celebrate living in our great country, and how much more shall we celebrate daily having a great, and wonderful, God who sent His own Son for us. That celebration is one that will go on forever, long after there is no more United States of America.

Lord, we pledge allegiance to Your name above all others. Amen! Let the celebration begin!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado