@ rrtulla

we are going to look at a very short story (4 verses) that will help us to know Jesus better. Matthew 17: 24-27. A theologian from a long time ago said about this story:

“This story is a nut with a dry, hard shell, but a very sweet kernel” I hope that in 20 minutes you will agree with him!

Matthew 17:24-27. 24 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?” 25 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?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 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.”

So I have 3 brief points: I want to examine The Son’s Claim The Son’s power The Son’s attitude

Jesus and his followers are in capernaum: jesus' home base/headquarters Tax collectors show up and ask Peter if Jesus will Pay the TEMPLE TAX (not a civil tax) this is based on exodus 30:

The Lord said to Moses, “When you take the census of the people of Israel. . . Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give. . . the half shekel. . . for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.” 
Ex 30:12-16
 This money was given for temple services. (Upkeep for the Temple in Jerusalem) When asked about it Peter says “yes” — “to be sure he does!” (peter probably knew Jesus did not have the money….so this may be an example of great faith) We also know that Jesus came “not to abolish the law…but to fulfill it”
Peter comes into his own house, Jesus was most likely staying with him and his family. Jesus speaks to him first (omniscience) 
Jesus’s primary way of teaching is by asking questions. I love that. I want to get better at this. 
 “peter I have a question for you: when a king collects taxes, does he collect the money from his children or from the regular citizens?”

Peter: regular citizens Jesus: the the children are free. They dont have to pay. This would be absurd. Do you see the claim that Jesus is making ?
 “A stronger claim to essential Divinity than our Lord in this scene at Capernaum advances—as “own Son” of the Lord of the Temple—cannot well be conceived.” David Brown
 You see this wasn’t a civil tax. This was an ecclesiastical tax. It was for the temple. For the church. GOD’s house. Here’s how we might translate what Jesus us saying: “This is a tax for upholding My Father’s House: As His Son, I am exempt!—I am free.”

Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)
 In one simple illustration, Jesus makes the divine claim. I am the son of God. Earlier in Matthew Jesus made another remarkable claim: “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.” Matthew 12:6

Yesterday I was in the car with my kids: and one of them asked me about why priests killed animals in the Bible.

God takes sin very seriously! The wages of sin is death! So God set up a system where animals (lambs, bulls, goats) would be killed in the place of the sinner.

These sacrifices always took place AT THE TEMPLE. And the priests (from the tribe of Levi) were the ones that did this work.

So if I wanted my sin forgiven, if I wanted to be reconciled to God, this is where I had to go, and what I had to do. I had to go to the temple was the dwelling place of God.

temple= God’s house.

.and here comes Jesus: the temple is my father’s house.

But then he says something even more astonishing. I am new the new temple>> access to God comes through me.

My daughter Lauren said: “oh yah, when Jesus died the temple curtain was torn in half!” Exactly right. No more. Animal sacrifices. “Behold the lamb of God..who takes away the sin of the world!” Access to GOD comes through faith in Jesus Christ. He is our mediator. He is our go-between. He is our priest. I dont have to go somewhere specific.

“Spirit and truth?” (Woman at the well)

All of this is implied in Jesus’ words: I dont need to pay tax to my father.

Love the lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength — Jesus is the SON of GOD. He is worthy of your love! Adoration. Worship.

Next let’s BEHOLD the Divine Son of God’s Power:

We see omniscience in verse 25. Jesus speaks to him first. He knows what happened. (there is nothing that can happen to you or to me and the LORD does not already know it!)

Lets pause here and marvel at the miracle. This is the only miracle recorded in the scriptures that directly benefits Christ.

Lets read it again:

“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.” (Mt 17:27)

The number of details that Jesus knew and was in control of is incredible. The coin itself. It fell into the water (right?). someone dropped it or lost it.
A fish gobbled it up, but didn’t actually swallow it. “go to the sea!” That is so vague. non-specific. It doesn’t matter where you cast from peter. I will command the fish to go exactly where you are. The fish bit the hook, while keeping the coin in its mouth, (even as he reeled it in). 5. Its the exact amount for 2 people. 

what can we learn? Jesus is LORD of nature. All creatures, including fish do his bidding. God can provide for you any way he pleases. His resources are inexhaustible. His creativity is unlimited.

Please also notice that the miracle involved Peter in a significant way. Peter has something to do. He had to obey Jesus commands. Jesus incorporated the skills that Peter already possessed. It involved action. Get up. Get the tools. Walk to the water. Cast the line. Reel it in.

“Miracles are usually preceded by faith and obedience.”

Luke 17 — 10 men with a terrible skin disease crying out: “Jesus, master! Have mercy on us!” What does Jesus say? Luke 17:14 (ESV) 14When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

The usual way that God works: he says Believe in me Obey what I say Watch what I do!

Ask for faith and then obey Jesus. I think you will be surprised what god does.

Also notice that the amount of money was just what was needed and no more.

1 Timothy 6:8 (ESV) 8But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Let us learn to be content when God provides what we need for today!

John marcarther quote about the fish: I have to believe that he threw the fish back. You can’t waste a fish like that. In fact, that fish may be in heaven; I don’t know. Swimming in the River of Life for all I know. Marvelous fish. In the Old Testament, God used a big one; in the New Testament He used a little one.

So we have seen his claim- I man the Son of God. The result must be praise and worship. We have seen the power of Jesus. Let us respond with obedience and faith.

Let’s look at the attitude of Christ. Jesus has already made it clear: I’m the son. Son’s dont pay taxes to their dads. What’s really amazing is that chapter 18 begins:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Mt 18:1)

The disciples are self-absorbed. Contrast that with jesus. Just consider what he could have said. “if I were looking for honor, completely focused on asserting my own importance, I could tell those tax collectors who I am. I could embarrass them. Shame them.”

He pays tribute, therefore, but taken from a fishes mouth, that his majesty may be recognized

But he doesn’t do that. Christ stoops low. This is what he always does. He is humble. He is lowly. He is the suffering servant. The eternal son of God, willing to take on human flesh. “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Mt 8:20)

He had to borrow a barn in which he was born. He had to borrow a boat to preach from. Had to borrow a donkey to ride on during his own coronation. Borrow a room for the passover supper. Borrow a tomb to be buried in (for 3 days!) He was dependent on others for basic needs. Luke 8 - there were many women who provided for HIM out of their means. (Lk 8:1–3)

As AB Bruce says: the life of Christ was one grand indignity from beginning to end.

Christ was so humble. He came not to be served but to give his life for us.

This is an important idea for you and me to grasp: Jesus demands our obedience. Our allegiance. But he’s not standing over us like a tyrant! He is meek. Kind. Humble. Gracious. We love him because he first loved us!

Most people (maybe you?) are so easily offended.

Did you hear what that person said? I cant believe how I was treated. She looked at me the wrong way. I’m going to get them back. Vengeance is mine!

But contrast that type of mindset with that of Jesus Christ

One reason why Jesus wasn’t offended: he knew who he was. Who knew the declaration his father had made up on the mountain. (transfiguration) 

behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; (Mt 17:5)

My identity: I AM A SON OF THE KING. He has called me Redeemed me Forgiven me. Adopted me into his family. Sealed me with his Holy Spirit. Promised me eternal life.

If that is true:

The attitude of Jesus was one of humility. What kind of church would we become if that was our default disposition?

But its not just that Christ doesn’t take offense. He doesn’t give offense either.

27 However, not to give offense to them (Mt 17:27).

He knew that by asserting his rights in this moment, he’d be creating a stumbling block for the people to trip over. He uses the plural: “so that we do not offend them.” Teaching Peter a valuable lesson.

The gospel of Christ is offensive, and we must never shy away from making it clear. But we must not offend by insisting on what we think we deserve.

Jesus doesn’t take offense He doesn’t give offense. He came to cancel offenses.

And how did he do that? He canceled our sins my paying for them himself. “give it to them for me and for yourself.”

What a picture of what Christ does for us: we owe what we cannot pay. God-in-Christ pays for us. Our great high priest> who is himself LORD of nature and at the same time the dwelling place, the access point to God (temple)

Destroy hostility. To reconcile us to God and to each other.

A few questions: Do you make beholding the glory of christ a priority? If not confess this as sin and repent. Is there a command of Jesus that you haven’t obeyed? Ask the holy spirit to reveal any unbelief or disobedience. Are you someone that is easily offended? Perhaps tonight is a night where you learn from Jesus and grow in humility.