Fishy Taxes

Matthew 17:22-27; 1 Peter 2:12-24

Jesus makes it clear that he and Peter are exempt from the temple tax because they are sons of the King. Yet, out of his freedom, he does a miracle to avoid offense. As children of the King we have a radical and ridiculous freedom in Christ. We are not to use that freedom for license or offense, but to love and glorify God, and then to love and glorify others. This affects our interactions with governments, masters and slaves, husbands and wives and every other human interaction. When we offend, may it only ever be for the cause of Christ.

No Offense, But…

When someone begins a statement with “no offense, but…” what is coming next?

Something super offensive.

That is the offend-someone-for-free card. I said “No offense” so you can’t get mad, now!

No offense, but you are the worst person ever!

No offense, but I hate you and you smell like cheese!

I like to flip the script and say “no offense” when I actually mean no offense. Messes with people.

“No offense, but you are a wonderful person.”

“Thank you, no offense taken.”

Jesus might be the most offensive person of all time.

Think about that for a bit. Tell me if you disagree.

Jesus might be the most offensive person of all time.

And yet, he teaches us today how to be inoffensive and un-offendable.

Recap

Jesus has been transfigured on the mountain, and Peter, James and John are driven to worship, in whatever way they can. All we can give is a Hallelujah.

They come down the mountain and Jesus laments their lack of faith. So many dimensions of life they don’t trust him with yet. Even the tiniest mustard seed of faith would be enough to move mountains.

And then, here, back to Galilee.

Jesus Again Predicts Death and Resurrection

Matthew 17:22–23 ESV

22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

We aren’t going to belabor it, because we have touched on this again and again. But it is worth recognizing how very often Jesus is teaching his disciples exactly what’s going to happen. He will be delivered, they will kill Jesus, and Jesus will be raised on the third day.

It is Jesus foreknowledge that lets them understand, this isn’t either a tragic or a surprising happenstance… this is a very purposeful plan. Indeed, it is the purpose that all Creation has been moving towards.

They aren’t going to hear it all that well ahead of time, but they will put all the pieces together after. They will realize at last what Jesus has been so clearly saying all along.

Taxes

This story appears only in Matthew. Maybe because Matthew, as a tax collector, likes stories about taxes.

Matthew 17:24 ESV

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?”

The way they phrase that question, they seem to expect the answer to be “yes.” But it is a real question.

Two-drachmas, that’s a Greek coin, the drachma is roughly equivalent to a Roman Denarius, which is a laborer’s daily wages, so we are talking about a few hundred dollars. Not chump change, but not supposed to bankrupt anybody either.

The so-called “Temple Tax” comes from two places.

Exodus 30:13 ESV

13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.

A shekel is worth four drachmas (which is a Greek coin), so half a shekel would be two drachmas. That’s what they ask for.

But what they are asking for is a yearly tax for the temple. Is that what Exodus says? No, it says “in the census”… which is taken whenever God says to take a census.

However, when the people return from the exile, they commit themselves to a voluntary offering:

Nehemiah 10:32–33 ESV

32 “We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, the regular grain offering, the regular burnt offering, the Sabbaths, the new moons, the appointed feasts, the holy things, and the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.

Slightly different amount, but a yearly giving for the support of the temple.

Over the following centuries, this developed into a custom of annual “Temple Tax”, also recorded by Josephus and other historians. Many were exempt: teachers, rabbis… so Jesus had all kinds of reasons why he could opt out of this tax.

He is the high priest. Exempt.

He is a rabbi. Exempt.

He knows the actual commands of God, the lack of historical and Biblical foundation. So he could object on legal and religious grounds. Jesus chooses none of these.

First Peter answers for him. Definitively.

Matthew 17:25 ESV

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?”

Where did Peter get this confidence? Maybe he had been indoctrinated, habituated to assume any moral person would certainly pay the Temple Tax, and Jesus is the MOST righteous, so certainly he would!

Or, totally guessing, maybe he saw Jesus pay it last year. Don’t know. But Jesus continues the conversation.

Matthew 17:25–26 ESV

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.

The sons are free. Note, not the “Son” is free. Not just Jesus as the Son of God. He seems to be including Peter in this circle. Sons, in a new way. In a way that all the children of Israel are not. Or not yet. That will be clearer in a minute when he includes Peter in the payment of the tax.

But Jesus declares a radical freedom here.

Note: it is not yet Freedom from the Law. That conversation is absolutely going to develop in the church. Freedom from the Ceremonial and Civic law. Freedom from Ritual. Freedom, in a sense, from all law… but only because the Law of the Spirit is written on our hearts instead of on external tablets. Paul will expound upon our radical and ridiculous Freedom in Christ… a dangerous freedom, one ripe for abuse, but a Freedom to live freely then in righteousness

But that isn’t here. Not yet. That’s all coming.

Here, this isn’t a law. It is a custom of man. It is a religious practice. It is added to the Law of God, an extra burden. Surely a very practical one, understandable, for the maintaining of the Temple, that’s a good thing, right?

But it doesn’t apply to Jesus… or Peter, because they are Sons of the King. Princes. Royalty. You don’t tax the family of the King.

As a follower of Jesus, that’s you and me, by the way. You are, as a Child of the King, not strictly under the dominion or rule of anyone else other than our King. That is the Kingdom of God.

But wait, there’s more.

Matthew 17:25–27 ESV

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. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Now, that’s a cool miracle. I don’t even know what to call this miracle. Is Jesus producing the fish and coin? Is it foreknowledge? There’s this fish swimming around with a coin… which is a real thing that has happened other times and places, but Jesus knows this little guy is swimming around right then and Peter cast right… now! he will catch this particular fish.

And it’s the exact coinage. One shekel = 4 drachma - perfect to pay the Temple Tax for him and Peter. Everyone else is apparently off to stage left. Not in this story.

No Offense, But…

Look at all the times Jesus has offended them. What’s different here?

Jesus offended them by not washing his hands, by being from Nazareth, by saying hard truths, by healing on the Sabbath, by casting our demons, by calling the religious leaders “white-washed tombs” and hypocrites, by talking to Samaritans, by talking to woman, by claiming to be King, Son of God…

and ultimately, he is the most offensive person of all time by being the one and only path in all history to forgiveness, righteousness, heaven and eternal life. That is offensive unto death and damnation to most.

Jesus is the most offensive person of all time!

And yet, he always and only offends for the right reason. Absolutely every action Jesus took was both righteous and loving. Every single one.

When someone was offended by Jesus, it was because they were offended by the truth. Afraid of the light. Confronted by their sin… and they didn’t like it.

Those who listened, weren’t offended, they were convicted. And they repented. And they were saved and embraced by Jesus.

And here Jesus has an opportunity. He could make a fairly small side point about the temple tax not being legal, or relevant, and that it doesn’t apply to him and Peter. And he does make that last point.

But in order to avoid unnecessary offense, he literally miracles up the tax. He goes to literally supernatural means to avoid offense where possible. It’s possible here, so he avoids offense.

Peter, who was right there on that day, writes this:

1 Peter 4:14–15 ESV

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

That’s a quick descent down my own chain of

A “meddler.” A “busybody.” The word literally combines “ruler” and “another” so… don’t be a “bossy britches.”

The message translation says “Don’t be a Karen.” ;)

You get NO glory for your suffering if it’s due to your sin… or your annoyingness, your meddling, you stupidity, just being a jerk. A whole lot of Christians think they are being persecuted, but they’re just jerks.

God’s grace is sufficient even for jerks like me… but there’s no blessing, no glory, no treasures in heaven for that.

Instead, we are to make every effort to be absolutely sure we are not offending unnecessarily.

Peter says earlier in 1 Peter:

1 Peter 2:12–20 ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

This is evangelism

1 Peter 2:12–20 ESV

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

This is pretty far from our culture of rugged individualistic, “you aren’t the boss of me” spirit.

“I’m just going to live my way, my story, and if you don’t like it you can go to Jesus!” (or other words)

Live as people who are free… live as servants of God. That could seem contradictory, but you are, out of your freedom, choosing the greatest place: servant of God.

What does that “servant of God” place look like in practice with other human beings.

Who are we to honor? Everyone.

Church people? Yup, love the brotherhood. They are hard to love, I know, do it as a servant of God.

Not because they are worthy, they are never going to be worthy, but because you Fear God.

Likewise, your Emperor is probably a terrible and awful human being. Even if you like this one, you hated the last one. Or if you liked the last one, you hated this one. Or the only good Emperor was the one 20, 30, 40 years ago. And they had even NO idea of influence or control or vote over who their governing authorities were, Emperor or otherwise.

But, again because you Fear God, because you choose service, servanthood to God…. Honor the Emperor.

And you do it in the footsteps of Jesus:

1 Peter 2:21–24 ESV

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I want to follow in his footsteps. We use that language alot, here it is literally. How do we do that? Peter, who followed in his literal footsteps, calls this out as following in his steps now:

1 Peter 2:21–24 ESV

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Unoffendable and Inoffensive. He didn’t revile in return, he didn’t threaten in return, he just trusted God’s judgment. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says about you, only what the Judge says… so you are unoffendable.

So that, when you look at the many, MANY times Jesus DID offend others, you know without doubt that they are offended by a mirror held up to their own heart, their own sin, their own pride, their own folly, their own judgment.

Unoffendable and Inoffensive

Pay your taxes, even the stupid ones. Until and unless the cause of Christ demands otherwise.

Obey the laws, even the stupid ones. Until and unless the cause of Christ demands otherwise.

Honor your fellow humans. Yes, even the stupid ones. When they are offended by your words or your actions, let it only ever be because they see Jesus in you.

Is this about Jesus… or about my pride? Let it go.

Is this about Jesus… or about my anger? Let it go.

Is this about Jesus… or I am just threatened, scared, nervous, anxious? Let it go.

What is there to be nervous about for your own sake? Jesus has a fish with your name on it. Jehovah Jireh (YHWH Yireh - Year-ay) will provide.

In all things, we ask, What Would Jesus Do. In this moment, alive in me, in my circumstance. Reading this news, dealing with this child, navigating this conflict or crisis… what would Jesus do?

Is this a gospel moment, where I declare boldly the truth and name of Jesus? Be bold, be fearless, and the name and truth of Jesus may be offensive to them, but never let it be about you.

In all other things, as far as it is up to you, be at peace with all. Unoffendable and Inoffensive.

Let’s follow in his footsteps. All that we do an act of worship that gives glory, attention and honor to Him.