- Jesus:The Series (Season 10)
- No comments
When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” -Matthew 17:24-27
Sometimes, it’s easy to listen to a message on Sunday, and then it is completely gone by Sunday afternoon. Let’s reflect back to remind our hearts what God’s word showed us. Peter is confronted by Jewish tax collectors, was Jesus going to pay the temple tax or not? Jesus is the Son of God, Fathers don’t charge their Son’s taxes. But Jesus instructs Peter to find a coin in a fish’s mouth to pay the temple tax. This story demonstrates Jesus’ wisdom in handling complex situations. Jesus could have fought this battle, but He avoided unnecessary conflict by prioritizing his mission over minor disputes. This fishing story, while seemingly mundane, offers deeper insights into Jesus’ approach to handling contentious issues.
Sunday, we focused on the broader lesson that Jesus was trying to teach His disciples: staying focused on the central mission of spreading the gospel rather than getting caught up in trivial controversies or arguments. Jesus’ response to the tax collectors is an example of choosing battles wisely, emphasizing that not all disagreements are worth engaging in, especially if they detract from the main message.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of maintaining a gentle, wise, and focused approach in spreading the gospel. Christians are called to avoid needless disputes and to live peacefully, reflecting the spirit of Christ. We need to prioritize the core mission of sharing God’s love and truth, recognizing that the gospel itself may be offensive to some. It’s worth the risk of offense for the sake of the Gospel but not worth it for our personal opinions or minor disagreements. Believers should be encouraged and remain steadfast and find hope in the promise that all trials seem small when viewed in the light of eternity with Christ. Be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.