24 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.”
Here the Lord Jesus gives His guy Pete (as well as all of us) a lesson on avoiding unnecessary offense. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s writing in Romans Twelve:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)
To be sure, the Gospel can be irrefutably controversial and convicting – offending those willingly determined not to embrace it and live by it. We need not add more fuel to the fire in indulging our liberties if it will cause others to stump their toes. In 1 Corinthians Paul again admonishes us:
23 “Everything is permissible”--but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Cor 10:23-24 (NIV)
Our words and actions should be motivated and regulated by love for others. That is the guiding principle of the believer’s freedom in Christ. Everything the Lord Jesus did was motivated by love. Our words and deeds are not beneficial or constructive or edifying unless they promote the welfare of others. This is a good indicator of our standing in Christ Who tells us:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)
“We are the Bibles the world is reading.” Billy Graham
“Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile.” Mother Teresa
“When the world asks, ‘What is God like?’ we should be able to say, ‘Look at the church.’” William R. L. Haley
The tribute demanded of Jesus in our verses for today was not a civil payment to the Roman powers rather a temple tax – monies collected and used to defray the expenses of worship. Peter was the one approached by the collectors to help support the public worship rather than Christ. You get the feeling Pete is unsure by his stating of the affirmative to their query.
Knowing all things, the owner of “the cattle on a thousand hills” is first to speak and presents Peter with a question to ponder – do the kings of the earth require taxes from their sons or others. Peter rightly answers “others”. Jesus, being the Son of God and Heir of all things is therefore not under obligation to pay this tax for the service of the Temple either- the Son being exempt. Waiving His privilege, however, Christ paid the tribute owed so as not to offend them.
“Christian prudence and humility teach us, in many cases, to recede from our right, rather than give offence by insisting on it. We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offence, but we must sometimes deny ourselves in that which is our secular interest, rather than give offence.” Matthew Henry
Lastly, Christ demonstrates an evidence of His divinity by His method for obtaining the monies for the temple tax – even the fish of the sea obey His commands. Peter is told by Christ to do something by way of his calling – go fishing. Peter has a part in this – he must catch the fish by angling. It is an employment the Master has called him to. We must be ready to work for Christ as well – using our callings and gifts for His glory and our good. The fish come forth with money in its mouth – the exact amount of the tax for both the Lord and Peter. With God, all things are possible.