By Kevin Harris, pastor of the Illawarra Community Baptist Church in Wollongong, NSW
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Matthew 17:24-27
The temple tax was collected to defray the expenses of the Jewish temple. When these tax collectors asked Peter if the Lord Jesus paid this tax, Peter was too hasty in his reply. ‘Of course He does.’
Later the Lord Jesus confronted Peter with a question. When kings charge the citizens a tax, don’t they exclude their own children from paying it?’ As the Son of the Lord of the temple, was He obligated to pay this tax?
Nevertheless, He would pay it so that no one was offended (stumbled). Rather than stand up for His rights, His greatest concern was tripping up others. It’s only money, after all, and His resources are unlimited.
So He gives Peter an enjoyable job. ‘Go fishing!’ To Peter, this was a favourite pastime. God sometimes gives us delightful work to do for Him. Peter’s first catch had a coin in its mouth, enabling him to pay a tax the Lord Jesus did not owe.
The Lord is teaching me how to handle mistreatment. State that it is unjust, but then pay it. Don’t fight for Your rights. Fight for the honour of our Saviour’s Name.
Father, thank You for the example that You are to me. Help me to die to my rights – both those that are real and those that I perceive are mine. Make my greatest concern the removal of all obstructions and excuses that people might use to justify their rejection of Jesus Christ. I want You to be honoured, so that people will come to You and be saved. I ask this in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Amen.
This article was written by Kevin Harris Dapto pastor of Illawarra Community Baptist Church.