March 5, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17:22-27
OBSERVATIONS
As they head towards Jerusalem, Jesus prepares them for what is coming.
He warns them of battles to come, but also of His resurrection, but the disciples only seem to hear the bad part, and are filled with grief.
The issue with the temple tax shows that Jesus’ was not instigating rebellion, He did not follow the zealots in being revolutionary and disobedient to the authorities.
The point here is that Jesus was not going to be arrested and crucified for being a trouble-maker.
The coin in the fishes mouth is curious, not sure how or why it happened this way, but the point is… Jesus models submission to the authorities, even when unjust.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
As Jesus followers, we should be good citizens as far as we can, keeping the law as long add it does not go against God’s law, and going beyond mere obedience to deep love, kindness, humility, obedience.
We will be persecuted as Christians, but it should not be for being lawless, rebellious, revolutionary, disobedient.
Of we are going to be persecuted, let it be for excessive kindness, generosity, humility, compassion, and not for being unnecessarily offensive.
1 Peter 4:15-16 — If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord God, help me to become excessively generous, kind, compassionate, merciful, etc., the kind of citizen that adds value to society and makes them take notice.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
I like Peter’s quick response to the question “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” His approach is to get rid of the people quickly, by saying Yes, and then figuring out the real answer later. This is a classic customer service, or salesman approach. Just say it with confidence, and you should be good.
It is interesting how Jesus and Peter turn this into a learning experience. In our society, perhaps we would just pay the tax, and move on, but it seems that Jesus did not carry a lot of cash with him. Jesus used the question of paying this tax to let Peter know that he held a special position in God’s kingdom. In fact he mentions that he is a Son, and insinuates that Peter is also included as a son of God. As such they should be exempt from paying a tax to the King, in this case the ruler of the temple.
Jesus asked Peter to do what he knew how to do. Peter was asked to go fishing. I notice that he was not asked to do farming, carpentry, or solve some nuclear fusion calculus equations, but to catch a fish, something he could easily do. Also, I notice that there was a current need to four drachmas. And God provided this amount. There was no cash left over for another day, neither was there a shortage that needed to be collected. This reminds me of the manna that was collected each day in the desert. God will provide what we need, when we need it. We need to trust in Him.
I thank God that he asks me to do for him that which I can do. I pray that I will be observant to his prodding to act and that He will show me the actions that he wants me to do.
Observations:
Jesus shares with His disciples that He will be delivered over to His enemies and on the third day rise.The disciples are grieved.
The temple tax issue was required by the people to pay temple atonement as required by law. The payment was in the mouth of a fish shows that Jesus knows of our needs even before we ask. Jesus paid the fee so not to be a stumbling block.
Application:
Jesus once again spoke of His death but the disciples ears were not receptive since they had different thought of a kingdom. How often are my ears not receptive to His word?
And in the coming of the Kingdom, Christ was a peacemaker and did not bring i that Kingdom with force. Although He was the Atoner, He still paid the tax. We as Christ did, must make sure that we do not put stumbling blocks in he way of others, keeping them from the faith. The way to the kingdom was totally different than what the people of the day thought. It was a peaceful takeover – lest we offend them. I must not be a stumbling block that hinders the Gospel.
Prayer:
Make me an instrument of your peace Lord, also on this day.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.