No Tax
Matthew 17:24-28 After
Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma
tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes,
he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to
speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the
earth collect duty and taxes — from their own sons or from others?” 26 “From
others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But
so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take
the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
GOD established a temple tax in the time of the Exodus
(Exodus 30:13-17) for the purpose of caring for the Tent of Meeting. Each man,
regardless of income was to give the same amount. In Jesus’ time it was 2
drachmas. The purpose of the tax was for the service of the Tent of Meeting
(later the Temple) so there would be a continual place for people to remember
God’s deliverance and to make atonement for their sins.
Jesus’
conversation with Peter allows for the “old testament” of the Law to continue
while Jesus is preparing to introduce the “new testament” of grace. Jesus knew
the temple tax would no longer be necessary after his resurrection because each
believer would become the temple of the Holy Spirit. He would be the atonement
of our sins. But until that day, Jesus obeyed the Law. After all, He was the
Word of God made flesh.
As Jesus instructs
Peter to get the money from a fish, it is another illustration that he alone is
the source of salvation.
LIFE Link: Jesus’ atoning blood requires no tax.
No comments:
Post a Comment