Matthew 17:24-27 When they 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 he 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."
THE "TAX" WE DON'T PAY
Today, the topic of taxes may still be on one's mind, as yesterday income tax payments came due. In our reading for this morning we also hear about something called a "temple tax." According to Old Testament law, an annual tax was required from the men of Israel, being used for upkeep of the temple and the things pertaining to temple worship.
Jesus points out in our reading for today that He and his disciples could rightfully make the argument that they were exempt from such a tax, just as those of a royal household are exempt from the taxes issued by the king. After all, if these taxes are issued for the purpose of bringing proceeds into the king's own household, it makes no sense for those within his household to pay these taxes. Likewise, the Son of God and His full-time companions had a divine exemption from payment of the temple tax. Nevertheless, Jesus miraculously provided the payment of the temple tax because He knew that some might not understand His righteous reasons if He did not pay this tax. This could have possibly led others to forgo paying their temple tax (which they rightly owed) for the wrong reasons.
As we ponder this account, we can be reminded of the "tax" that we would rightfully owe because of our sins if Jesus had not stepped in to pay a price that He did not owe. Because of our sins, according to God's righteous laws, we deserved to pay with our lives. However, Jesus stepped in and paid this price for us by giving His life instead. Now, for all of us who believe in Jesus, we will join Him in resurrection from the dead and eternal life, as sons of God who no longer owe the "tax" of eternal death on account of our sins.
