GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 13

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

ONE WITH THE SOVEREIGN MASTER

(Matthew 17:24-27)

(Relating back to the story in the verses above about Jesus having the tax coin in the mouth of a “random” fish caught by Peter.)

Nothing is sure, it is said, but death and taxes.  Even our Lord was hounded by those who taxed the populace.  This  was not a civil tax, but a religious tax, used to pay for the ongoing ministries of the temple.  This tax was introduced in Exodus 30:13; “this is what everyone who is numbered shall give:  half a shekel according to the shekel as a contribution to the Lord.”  The temple services demanded a large sum of money:  Sacrifices, incense, and the upkeep of the buildings was a costly business.  Although this tax was voluntary, it was paid by those who felt an obligation to help continue the prescribed religious ceremonies.

A half shekel would be equivalent to two days wages for the average worker.

A tax collector visited the city of Capernaum, hoping to canvas the area, urging men to pay this tax.  The tax collector found Peter outside of the house…probably Peter’s own house in the city).  And asked:  “does your teacher not pay the tax?  The question was phrased in such a way as to make it seem reasonable that no teacher would try to escape from this obligation.

Peter did not go into the house to consult with Christ.  He answered for His Master, “Yes.”  With that he walked into the house where Christ was, but before he could open his mouth, Christ (who of course knew what had been said outside, as well as what was in each man’s heart) immediately replied, “What do you think, Simon?  From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?”  (Matthew 17:25.)

Peter correctly replied, “From strangers.”  Christ agreed, saying that this means that He, the son of the Most High God, was under no obligation to pay taxes.  But then He added His instruction to get the coin from the fish, worth a shekel.

Not everyone believes that this story should be understood literally.  William Barclay thinks that it would be immoral for Christ to encourage laziness by supplying money in such a miraculous way.  He thinks that Christ was, in effect, saying, “Yes, Peter.  You’re right.  We too, must pay our just and lawful debts.  Well, you know how to do it.  Back you go to the fishing for the day.  You’ll get plenty of money in the fishes’ mouths to pay your dues!  A day at the fishing will soon produce all we need.”

God usually does supply money through our hard work rather than through a miraculous happenstance such as finding a coin in an unlikely place.  Yes, if Peter had gone back to fishing for a day, he would have made enough to pay the tax.  But the text is rather clear:  Christ told Peter that the FIRST FISH would have a shekel in its mouth, just enough to meet both of their obligations.

Perhaps Christ is not teaching laziness, but rather teaching Peter, and the rest of us, something about Himself and His care for His followers.

Tomorrow we’ll see what that is.

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(I must reiterate that all of the promises in the Word are only for born again believers, those who have come to abhore, and have repented of their sins, and acknowledged that Jesus is the Lord of all in heaven and earth, and not simply for anyone who believes broadly in Jesus without the full commitment of their lives.)

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Psalm 72:12

For He will deliver the needy when he cries,

The poor also, and him who has no helper.

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2 Cor 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

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2 Peter 1:3

 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

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Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits, and bears our burdens

The God of our salvation!

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Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

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2 Timothy 1:12

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

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Psalm 103:5

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

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Romans 8:38-40

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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