Wednesday, October 5
But so we won’t offend them…
Scripture: Ezekiel 3-4, Proverbs 23, Matthew 17
Matthew 17:24–27 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes,” he said.
When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?”
26 “From strangers,” he said.
“Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. 27 “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.”
Observation
I’ve never paid much attention to this little story, but several things struck me today. The temple tax was two drachmas and was paid annually by every adult Jewish male to support the work of the temple. Evidently, Jesus had not paid yet, and the collectors asked Peter if Jesus intended to. Peter answered in the affirmative, assuming that Jesus would pay.
When Peter entered the house, Jesus initiated the conversation, knowing what Peter was going to ask. The question was simple: Do kings tax their own sons, or strangers? Obviously, the sons of kings are exempt. Jesus is suggesting that He is exempt (and His followers with Him) due to His unique relationship with God the Father. He is the Son, and “the sons are free.”
“But so we won’t offend them,” Jesus said. The Greek word is skandalizo; we get “scandalize” from it. Literally, it means to entrap or trip up. Evidently refusal to pay the tax would cause trouble for the collectors, so out of kindness, Jesus agreed to pay the tax, even though He was exempt as the Son. “Jesus is interested in something more than theoretical rights. If the sons are free from tax, they are not free from the claims of love, even love of enemies.” (Eerdmans Bible Commentary; Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel according to Matthew, p. 454).
Rather than take the money from their money bag (resources which had been given to them for their support), Jesus sent Peter fishing. He was, after all, a pro. But in another surprising twist, rather than catching a fish and selling it in the market to pay the tax, Peter was told that the first fish he caught would have a stater (a four drachma coin) in its mouth—enough for Jesus’ and Peter’s tax.
Note the supernatural surprises. Jesus knew what Peter would ask and initiates the conversation. Jesus partners with Peter to pay the tax by fishing…with a surprise twist. But most important: Jesus generously pays the tax rather than cause trouble for the collectors.
Application
Here is an example of Jesus’ own teaching about going the second mile: doing something you don’t have to do, but do anyway out of love for others.
So often we are focused on our rights. Jesus calls us to lay down our rights for the sake of others. That’s love—doing what is best for another no matter what it costs you.
Today, when I’m faced with the opportunity to insist on my rights, I want to stop and consider how that affects others, and what I might do to benefit them and not just myself.
Prayer: Thanks for the reminder Lord in a beautiful little story. You cared about the tax collectors and served them. Help me do the same today.