Jesus & Issues Everyone Faces - Disciple Makers Series #18Sample

Do we pay taxes?  

Thoughts on the message

Now we are on to a series of topics that the Jewish people questioned. First, the Temple Tax.

The temple tax was set up at first to pay for the first tabernacle – everyone over 20 years of age (except the priests and spiritual helpers) paid. With the new temple being built, the leaders brought it back. Would Jesus pay it? The answer is yes.

However, Jesus made it clear that He did not need to do it. A king does not tax his children to pay for the king’s house – the children are exempt. Jesus is the Son (and priest) of the temple owner (and Peter is the spiritual helper) so they should not be expected to pay. They do rather than cause offense.

Jesus does not let this kind of issue be a distraction for the message of the Kingdom. Good advice.

Prayer

Father, we could claim some privileges that come as Your child. Some of them will distract people from the message of Your Kingdom. Like Jesus, help us to know when to put them aside. Help me to let go of things that may be legitimate – but in the end may cause people to not see Jesus, not see the blessings of Your kingdom, or not see claim that Jesus has in their lives. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.