Jesus Pays the Temple Tax

Review: Over the last few weeks we have seen Peter confess Jesus as the Messiah, The transfiguration, The Power of Christ over the demonic realm.

Intro: Today we are going to look at two events that all point to the same thing, humility.

So Jesus after Jesus shows his power over the stubborn demon. He tells his disciples a second time that soon he must suffer, die, and rise again. To them this doesn’t make sense. Why would the Son of God, the chosen Messiah humble himself and allow this to happen?

This vein of humility continues in the next few accounts

Matthew 17:24–27 CSB

24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes,” he said. When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?” 26 “From strangers,” he said. “Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. 27 “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for me and you.”

Matthew is the only one who records this account. As a former tax collector himself, it makes sense that he would record this event. Also, the subtheme of Matthews gospel is “Jesus the King”. Both of these ideas are shown in this event.

I. Our rights are not as important peace.

Trans: In this we see the humility of the king. Then something strange takes place. Jesus disciples begin to argue about who is the greatest in the Kingdom. This is no doubt a result of the three disciples, Peter, James, and John being singled out to witness the transfiguration.

II. Humility is a requirement of the Kingdom

1.Humility is a requirement to gain entrance to the Kingdom Matthew 18:1-3

Matthew 18:1–3 CSB

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a small child and had him stand among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Here the disciples are expecting a definitive answer. Which one of us is going to have the greatest position in the Kingdom?

Yet Jesus answers listen unless you humble yourselves your not even

2.Humility prioritizes the next generation of believers.

Q: Why should we prioritize the needs of the next generation?

A: Humility demands it and Jesus commands it.

I know in the church today there is a great emphasis on reaching the next generation.

At times there are conflicts that arise in the church from those fighting for supremacy. Who is the most important? What about my needs. Aren't my needs as important as the next generation? Yes and no.

You have your faith but in this parable we see there is a real possibility that those who are in the faith could hinder those who are not yet in the faith.

Jesus gives a stern warning against offending one of his little ones.

Matthew 18:6 CSB

6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.

The Phrase “it would be better for him” is not to be taken lightly. I don’t think one could ever accuse God of Idle threats.

The type of milestone mentioned in this this text are the big ones.

The word ‘translated” heavy” means they type pulled by a donkey. It is a fearful thing.

Than Jesus tells his disciples how it is the world offends or causes to stumble these little ones.

Matthew 18:7–9 CSB

7 Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes. 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.

it would be better cut off your hand - If what you do keeps you from working for the glory of God,

or your foot - If the places you go keep you from leading these little ones to Christ.

Lastly it would be better to gouge out your eye- If what you set your goals on would cause a little one to stumble.

In Jesus time to lose a limb or be blinded was almost a guarantee of poverty.

How often do the cares of this life keep people from entering into the kingdom of God? How often will people reject the plan of salvation because they have set success, goals, and relationships in this world.

Yet we see this is still in the context of “offending these little ones”

How often will people choose the path of hell and bring the next generation right down with them.

How many people have tasted the goodness of God and yet have raised their children by their words, example, or things they allow to set their hands, feet, and eyes on other things than the kingdom of God.

How many generations of believers have been stopped because Mom and dad didn’t prioritize their faith in their example. Woe to them are the words of Jesus.

What if we looked at every thing we did with this evaluation ? will this cause my children to stumble?

What if we thought about everyplace our feet takes us and asked. Is there someplace else I should be? Will this cause my kids to stumble.

What if we looked at everything we set our eyes. Whatever you set your eyes on you will inevitably go to it. What if we asked will this cause my kids to stumble.

In this passage we see that this exactly what humility does in the life of the Christ follower. It evaluates every action and deed and asks if it could cause a child or anyone else to stumble in their faith.

Yet even though as Jesus says offenses will inevitably come. We see the love and grace of God in pursuing those that have been lead astray or gone their own way.

Maybe you find yourself in this situation today. Maybe because of your example or others your child has left the faith. Let me assure you that not all hope is lost because we have a God that pursues those that have gone astray.

III. We have a God that pursues the little ones who have strayed.

Matthew 18:10–14 CSB

10 “See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

We see the parable of the lost sheep yet one thing I had never noticed was the “inclusio” in

Matthew 18:10 CSB

10 “See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven.

We see that “the little ones” angels are always reporting to God what is taking place.

Then in

Matthew 18:14 CSB

14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

We see this parable is enveloped by this phrase “The little ones” So in other words the parable of the lost sheep is about God’s grace in going after the little ones.