Today’s teaching is so simple and true.
The emphasis is not on the tax, but on the WHO. I invite you to read this verse and let me know if you see it too. “When Jesus and His disciples had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when Peter had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Matthew 17:24-27 What a great teaching from Jesus Christ. He tells how the kings of the earth work, and then he follows it up with how followers of Him are supposed to act. Government -in the earth realm is not about freedom as we have been told. It’s about presidents and public leaders obtaining wealth by squeezing the throats of other humans. It’s about creating customs to advance the earth realm, and strategizing it’s position to replace the Kingdom of God. And instead of fighting with it, and demanding justice, Jesus said, “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first.” It appears Jesus wants his followers to understand the truth about the earth realm, where the heart of the government is all about selfish demands. It appears Jesus wants his followers to understand that they should be careful not to offend what the leaders command. I love that Jesus differentiates between sons and strangers, He shows the difference between citizens of the earth realm and citizens who belong to Heaven; between the Seed of the woman and the seed of Satan.
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