“Paid in Full: The King Who Sets Us Free”

Text: Matthew 17:24–27

Matthew 17:24–27 KJV 1900

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

INTRO: Relatable Hook

Have you ever been guilted into giving something?

You’re scrolling your phone, and you see one of those commercials with sad music—big-eyed puppies behind cages. Or maybe a hungry child staring at the camera. And suddenly you’re like, “Okay okay, here’s my $0.10! I don’t want to feel like a monster!”

Peter knows how you feel.

One day some religious guys come up and say, “Hey, doesn’t your rabbi pay the temple tax?”

And Peter, caught off guard, says, “Uh, yeah! Of course!”

He gave an answer… not from faith, but from tradition and pressure.

POINT 1: People Will Ask You Before They Ask Jesus

“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?’” (v. 24)

People will often go to Jesus’ followers to figure out what Jesus is all about.

Let me ask you:

When the world wants to know if Jesus is legit—what do they see in you?

🪞 Metaphor:

Think of your life like a car with bumper stickers.

If people can’t see Jesus in you, they won’t believe Jesus is worth following.

You’re the bumper sticker they’re reading before they ever meet the Driver.

Relatable Thought:

The tax guys didn’t go to Jesus. They went to Peter.

Because the world often asks the follower before they consider the Leader.

Peter was asked because he was close to Jesus. But he answered from reflex, not relationship.

Application: Sometimes we speak out of pressure, not prayer.

Sometimes we act out of guilt, not grace.

And Easter reminds us—Jesus didn’t come to burden us with tradition… but to break us free with truth.

🎯 Transition to Next Point:

And Peter, like many of us, gave an answer that sounded right but wasn’t rooted in truth.

Which leads us to the next thing Jesus does…

POINT 2: Jesus Wants Thinking Followers, Not Religious Robots

“What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free.’” (vv. 25–26)

Jesus doesn’t just say, “Let me fix your answer.”

🧠 Metaphor:

Jesus isn’t building an assembly line of spiritual clones—He’s building a gym for your soul.

He doesn’t just want you to repeat facts… He wants you to work out your faith.

Relatable Thought:

Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for being hasty—He draws him in with a question:

“Think with Me, Peter… do kings tax their sons or strangers?”

He asks, “What do YOU think, Simon?”

Why?

Because Jesus wants disciples who think deeply.

He’s not building a religion. He’s building a relationship.

In the same way Jesus patiently guided Peter to realize:

The temple belongs to God. I am the Son of God. Why would the Son pay rent on His own house?

Key Truth:

Jesus wasn’t just a rabbi.

He wasn’t just a prophet.

He was—and is—the rightful King.

And the Son is free. And if the Son is free…

“…you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

🎯 Transition to Next Point:

And just as Peter’s mind is catching up to the truth…

Jesus shifts from teaching to demonstrating.

Because truth is best absorbed when it’s both explained and experienced.

POINT 3: Jesus Knows Our Weakness, Yet Still Provides

“…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. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” (v. 27)

Peter needed a little faith boost.

Jesus doesn’t just school Peter intellectually—He shows him supernaturally.

And how He does it is wild. He doesn’t say, “Let’s go fish together.”

No. He tells Peter to throw a line and trust the miracle.

Think about it:

Jesus knew what Peter said… before Peter even told Him.

Jesus knew where the fish was… and where the coin was.

Jesus has dominion over every detail.

And on the cross, Jesus did the ultimate miracle—He paid the price we never could.

BIG IDEA: Because Jesus Paid It All, We Are Free

The message of Easter is this:

“It. Is. Finished.”

Not “mostly done.” Not “add your tithe.” Not “pay temple tax.”

Finished. Paid. Complete.

You don’t give to be loved.

You don’t serve to earn favor.

You don’t pray to avoid guilt.

You do it all because Jesus set you free. And when you’re free, you live out of grace, not guilt.

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION

Imagine going to a restaurant and at the end of your meal, the waiter says,

“Your bill has been paid—with a tip, too.”

You don’t argue. You don’t reach for your wallet.

You smile, you thank, and you walk out free.

That’s what Jesus did on Easter Sunday.

He didn’t just pay your debt—He left a tip: Eternal life, peace, joy, and a place in His house.

ALTAR CALL

Some of you have been living under guilt.

You’ve felt like Peter—trying to do the right thing but still falling short.

But today… the King who conquered death says:

“You don’t owe Me. You just have to receive Me.”

If that’s you, and you’re ready to stop trying and start trusting, would you lift your hand?

Let’s pray together.

Benediction: “Walk in the Freedom of the Risen King”

As you leave today,

May you walk in the freedom of sons and daughters of the King.

No longer burdened by guilt,

No longer striving to earn what Christ already paid.

May the resurrection remind you

That your debt is canceled, your chains are broken,

And your future is forever secure in Him.

Go now, not as tax-burdened servants,

But as dearly loved children—

Free, forgiven, and filled with resurrection power.

In the name of Jesus, our risen Savior and rightful King,

Amen.