Matthew 17:24-27
Reflect
Taxes, taxes, taxes! It’s tax season! Every male Jew who was twenty years or older was required to pay a half-shekel per year to maintain the temple service. Can you imagine finding money in a fish’s mouth to pay your taxes (a shekel would be equivalent to two days’ pay)? But this passage is much greater than taxes.
Matthew records this to showcase that Jesus was the distinct Son in relationship to the heavenly Father. If Jesus paid the tax Himself, He would be classified as everyone else--the general public. If he refused to pay, He would be standing against what the temple stood for. Jesus has a unique identity and authority!
As much as we are local citizens, we must also recognize that we are part of a larger picture. We are Kingdom people. We continue to pay taxes, live according to civil law, fight for justice, while also keeping in mind that our citizenship is in heaven. And though we may not be exempt from our civil responsibilities, we continue to live in humble obedience, cooperation, and peace in the same way Jesus demonstrated through this passage.
Pastor Nathanael
Pray
- Pray for our childcare team, the children and their families this week. Pray for the Director, Angie Clark.
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor, Terry Okken and his family.
- Pray for our Missions Ministry Assistant, Oleksandr Lushchyk.
- Pray for our Young Adults Ministry Assistant, Shone Williams.