Lessons from Matthew 17: Temple Tax
Again Jesus drew together these disciples in Galilee and for the third time He predicted His forthcoming betrayal and death at the hands of men.
This was new insight. And He also shared the promise of His resurrection, but again the disciples failed to hear the last part of His message. They focused only on His death and were filled with grief!
We too can do the same thing. When we lose a loved one, we focus on our loss and not heaven’s gain.
Jesus’s death and resurrection revealed His power and authority over death, sin, and Satan. It also brought true life for all who would believe.
This was, and is, the good news of the gospel, Jesus’s purpose in coming!
Have you too missed the purpose of His coming? His gift of new life? Are you living the resurrected life in Christ Jesus? Or are you still filled with grief and sorrow over your sins and failures?
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation: The old has gone, the new is here!
Get up, my friend, and walk in the light of His salvation. Be filled with joy. Tell others about Him and what He has done for you!
In Capernaum
Next, Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum. While there, those in charge of collecting the temple tax asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” And Peter replied, “Yes, He does!”
This tax was one all adult Jews between the ages of 20-50 paid in support of the Temple and its services. This was not a Roman law; it originated in Exodus 30 and was to be paid at the time of the census.
In Jesus’s day, the tax was paid annually at the time of the Passover while the pilgrims were in Jerusalem. The amount was 2 drachmas, or a half shekel, per person and it was usually paid by the head of the household. Since Jesus was thought to be staying in Peter’s house, the tax collectors approached Peter and not Jesus.
Peter entered the house and found Jesus waiting there. He asked Peter, “What do you think, Simon?” This was a reference to Peter going back to his old ways of taking care of things on his own.
Jesus went on by asking Peter, “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes–from their own children or from others?”And Peter replied, “From others.” “Then,” Jesus responded, “the children are exempt.” “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line.”
He then told Peter to take the first fish he caught and open its mouth. Peter would find the temple tax for both of them. Jesus told him to take it to the collectors for both their taxes.
Peter had again failed to see and acknowledge Jesus as the King on which the Temple was established. Jesus was the Son of God and in reality the priests served Him. He had no need to pay the temple tax. Like all things, the temple existed for His glory. He could have refused to pay this tax, but because Jesus never offended anyone unnecessarily, He told Peter to pay both His and Peter’s.
Jesus laid down His heavenly rights for the earthly good of others!
But the way in which Jesus called Peter to pay the tax was a lesson for Peter–a lesson in the Sovereignty of God. Jesus chose to teach Peter a lesson in reliance on God and not self by the miraculous provision of the temple tax found in the mouth of a fish.
Jesus Christ is Sovereign over all, the source of all good things, and the provider for all who seek Him.
What is it God is trying to teach you? Will you willingly give up your rights for others if need be? What miracle will you trust God to do to provide for your needs?
God is more than able to provide all that we need, even if what we need is a miracle. A miracle from the hand of God for the Glory of God!
What will you entrust to Him today?
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach