I am so honored to have my installation on Palm Sunday. Between then and Good Friday every year, we need to decide how to fill in the blank. Paul claims to have done nothing wrong against Caesar and even appeals to him for a fair trial, but just the fact that he is associated with "the Way" means that he cannot fill in the blank in a way that would be acceptable to Caesar. I grew up at a church called Christ the King, remind me of how to fill in the blank.
If you read one book this year (other than the Bible), pick up Rob Bell's Velvet Elvis. In it, he is clear that we can either proclaim, "Jesus is Lord!" or "Caesar is Lord," as Caesar was claiming to be the Son of God.
Luther makes it obvious that while we need to follow civil authority, we cannot do so in such a way that causes us to stray from our faith. In some instances, we need to make a choice. Most of us at least tithe to the government in the form of taxes, since we cannot refuse to or we would be imprisoned. God gives us the choice to serve him with our entire lives...or not.
How will you fill in the blank today? What about tomorrow and for the rest of your life?
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