March 3, 2016

SOME OF US LIKE RULES, SOME OF US DON'T!

Matthew 17:24–27

Malcolm Holland
Thursday's Devo

March 3, 2016

Thursday's Devo

March 3, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus models for us that following rules is an act of obedience requiring a lack of selfishness.

Key Verse | Matthew 17:24

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?” (Matthew 17:24)

Matthew 17:24–27

The Temple Tax

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. 1 17:27 Greek stater, a silver coin worth four drachmas or approximately one shekel Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Footnotes

[1] 17:27 Greek stater, a silver coin worth four drachmas or approximately one shekel

Dive Deeper | Matthew 17:24–27

In this seldom-talked about piece of Scripture, Jesus models for us His submission to the ruling authorities. Jesus did not feel this was the time or place to challenge the government on their authority to tax Jesus and Peter for the upkeep of the Jerusalem temple. It was also a time when Jesus could bless Peter by allowing him to do what he loved—fishing—and by continuing to show Peter His miraculous powers by finding the required tax in the mouth of a fish. I love the fact that Jesus did not challenge the authorities. He rendered to them what was theirs (see Matthew 22:21).

I often struggle with rules—you can confirm this with my wife! But why would one person not wish to conform while another wants to be a rule-follower? I think it falls into the selfishness category. I am more concerned about my time, my schedule, my inconvenience, my comfort, my wait time . . . you get the idea! My wife and I recently traveled to England for a week, but our bags never arrived. I had meetings and dinners to attend and needed all the "proper" attire. All I could focus on was myself and my inconvenience. As I look back, all went fine, but all I did was make myself (and my wife) miserable.

Are you tired of relying on "me" and "I"? I am exhausted relying on "me"!

Jesus models for us here that we are not to challenge everything; we are to be obedient to the ruling authorities (see also Romans 13), unless their rules conflict with God's commands (Acts 5:29). In my experience, if I can remove my selfishness from the situation, I find it much easier to accept my circumstances and become a "rule-follower" and not a "rule-breaker," which honors Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. Are you a rule-follower or a rule-breaker? Give some examples.

2. Do you rely more on yourself than on God? Why?

3. Do you struggle with paying taxes? Following the speed limit? Showing up to appointments on time? If so, why?