I used to think this bit of Scripture was, kind of, “one of those things”, in the Bible.
I mean, what do you do with this story?
Then I learned the background.
Jews who were not Rabbi’s had to pay a Temple Tax to support the upkeep and running of the Temple. Jesus was not an official Temple Rabbi.
But of course, the Temple was destroyed in approximately 70 A.D.
So, depending on when Matthew wrote this Gospel, Matthew (the Tax Guy) included this tax story to make a point—a point about obedience—obedience by Jesus, by the people of his day, and by us.
Think about it. The Temple is devoted to the worship of God. Jesus is the Son of the God. Therefore, his comment:
“From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
…makes sense. Jesus, the Son of the King did not have to pay the tribute. He paid the tax to not bring offense.
Today, many of us, as Christians, and as American Christians, are really struggling to assert our American rights. I really get it.
I want to suggest however that we be careful. Let’s not confuse American and Christian. It you want to take on the complete craziness in America today, I say, “Go for it!” We need Christians active in politics to bring people back to our Constitution.
If, however, you want to make a point as a Christian, you might take a different path. Jesus did. (By the way, they killed him.)
Can I take this one historical step further?
In 70 A.D. the Temple was destroyed. Yet the Romans continued to collect the Temple Tax. The collected it for the upkeep of the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in Rome. In fact, they would strip men in the streets to see if they were circumcised (a sign of being Jewish) and then demand payment of the tax.
Pause. Jesus is challenged in his own day, the Son of the King, to pay the tax—and he does.
Pause. Matthew’s congregation is challenged. In fact, men are being stripped in the street.
Think you and I are living in a world of lunacy, it is nothing compared to the first century.
Luke 21:12 perhaps says it best. Yet you can find similar admonitions in Matthew, Mark and John.
The point of this, is perhaps, that He who possessed all authority, was obedient.
You might ask, “Why?”
I believe because he was competing in a different arena. His goal was to bring as many people with him to the Father as possible. His method was to take up his cross.
What is your goal? What is your method?