Truth Taught- Children are always welcome to come to Jesus
Introduction
The disciples were still learning. I pray you are a disciple of Jesus and that you are still learning from the Master Teacher.
Throughout the Gospels we do see many times when the disciples were confused and even shocked at something Jesus had said or done. Most often their Jewish education from childhood was threatened when Jesus would give them the real truth from God’s Word and that would greatly shake their foundations. Jesus is seeking to bring them back to God’s Word and away from their current belief system, trust in traditions and the teachings of men.
Here’s an example…
Read MoreTruth Taught- Divorce is never to be the first response but is, in some cases, permitted by God
Introduction
Jesus has just finished teaching on what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. He taught on sin, going astray, repentance and forgiveness. Jesus told us about our responsibilities to lovingly confront the sinner who claims to be a brother, to take necessary steps if needed to reconcile the brother and then when the brother repents, we are responsible before God to forgive them from the heart.
This is the teaching of Jesus to us His Church. What might be the worldly response to this truth?
The lost person’s response is to bring into question this truth by seeking to discredit Jesus by finding a loophole in which His doctrine can be cast aside as unworthy of our attention and labor to obey it.
Even here in this setting, there may be those who have already talked themselves out of doing what Jesus has commanded be done. You perhaps have talked yourself out of it with convincing argumentation.
Truth Taught- If another Christian sins against you, go to them seeking restoration.
Introduction
Jesus continues His teaching on the care of the Little ones. Last time we learned that disciples are to care for one another. When someone is struggling, we must go to them and care for them and show that we really do love them. Jesus warned us about despising one of His Little ones.
Again we are talking about disciples caring for disciples. We all need to give and in time, probably we all will receive it.
We saw last time that Jesus told a parable about the Shepherd who had 100 sheep and 1 went astray and how the Shepherd left the 99 and went searching for the 1. Jesus compared that to how we are to go and seek to bring back the fellow disciple who may have gone astray. In love we seek after them, care for them and welcome them.
Read MoreTruth Taught- We are called to align ourselves with God’s purpose in caring for His people.
Introduction
Last time we learned what God desires from us concerning our living godly lives to encourage others to live godly as well. We saw together that our sin does not only affect our relationship with God but it can also affect others as well. When we sin we encourage others to sin and the flip side is that when we obey God we encourage others to be obedient.
We saw this play out in the OT as King Jeroboam by his sin caused Israel to sin. Then we looked at the immediate context in which Jesus was speaking to His disciples who were arguing about greatness and thus bringing others into their sinful argument.
We also saw how Jesus referred to all of His followers as little ones. His point was that we too should be concerned about whether our actions will have a negative effect on someone who is seeking to be obedient to Christ. How does our speech, our actions, and even our attitudes affect those around us?
Introduction
Last time we looked at greatness in the Kingdom of God as the disciples argued among themselves as to who the greatest was. We learned from Jesus that greatness in the Kingdom of God goes the other direction from the world’s version of greatness. Jesus taught us that God’s view of greatness is much different.
We learned that humility is greater than authority, serving others is greater than being served, and dependance on God is greater than self-reliance.
They’re arguing among themselves had another side to it. Not only were they confused as to what real greatness is but their arguing was causing other disciples to be tempted to sin with them.
Read MoreTruth Taught- In Christ we are set free from the bondage of sin
to be the bondservants of Christ
Introduction
Today, Jesus takes another everyday event and turns it into a very powerful teaching moment for Peter and for us. He teaches about Sonship and the responsibilities of sonship. He teaches about freedom that comes to us as sons. With our freedom in Christ comes responsibilities.
In this short section we’ll see together the event, the freedom as sons and the responsibility of being a son.
Matthew 17:24–27 (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?” 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. 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.”
1. The Temple Tax
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 Lord and His disciples have made their way down from Galilee to Capernaum. This is Peter’s town and they were probably staying at Peter’s house. Jesus did a lot of His ministry here in Capernaum. This town is situated on the north west side of the sea of Galilee.
While they are here in Capernaum Peter is approached by the collectors of the Temple Tax. Once a year every adult male was asked to pay a tax to support the Temple. It was two-drachma or half a shekel per man.
This tax was not like the Roman taxes which were collected by the hated tax collectors. This tax was looked on with favor by the people. It was almost patriotic in a sense showing loyalty and favor for the Temple.
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.
This tax is really a yearly offering that God had prescribed to His people to meet all the expenses surrounding the Temple. Building upkeep, supplies, and expenses.
Contained within the Jewish writings were instructions concerning the collection of the Temple Tax, Jewish men only. The Priests who served in the Temple were exempt and Gentiles and Samaritans were not allowed to pay. This was the responsibility of the Jewish population to maintain the Temple.
The Tax Collectors approached Peter and asked, does your teacher not pay the tax?
Jesus was a visiting Rabbi and it could have been exempt from paying the tax. This could have been the thinking behind their question. It could also stem from our Lord’s approach to the Temple as He has made some claims that may have brought into question His position concerning the Temple.
John 2:13–17 (ESV)
13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
John 2:18–19 (ESV)
18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
The attitude toward Jesus and His followers is the tax collectors have some doubts as to whether Jesus is patriotic toward the Temple…we could see it as, How pro-temple are you?
2. Children of the King are Free
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.
Here’s the meaning of Jesus’ question first given to Peter. Our Lord’s question is asked as a parable. The story goes like this…
There is a King needing to charge a tax or a toll to pay for the expenses of his kingdom. To whom does the King charge the tax to? Does the King’s own children pay the tax? No. That would be counterproductive to have his own house pay the taxes. The one’s who are charged taxes are those outside the king’s family not his own children.
From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
Peter answers the question correctly. He answers others. So, the children of the earthly king are exempt from paying taxes. The children of the King are in a different relationship with the king and his taxes than the others are. So those of the royal household are exempt from paying taxes.
Since Jesus is the unique Son of God and since we are talking about a tax that God the Father has initiated He is exempt from paying the tax.
We have already seen clearly that Jesus is God’s Son…
Matthew 17:5 (ESV)
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
John 1:1–18 contains some of the clearest teaching on the reality that Jesus is the Son of God. In this text, we read of the Word of God who was God (v. 1) and of His incarnation (v. 14). This Word is also identified as the Son of God (v. 14), so we have in this passage John’s presentation of God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, taking on a human nature and walking among us. Jesus Christ is the divine person of the Son of God in whom are perfectly and inseparably united deity and humanity, without mixture or confusion, with each nature retaining its own attributes.
John 1:1–2 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:14 (ESV)
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Because Jesus is the Son of the King who owns the Temple He is exempt from paying the Temple Tax.
Here in this amazing teaching Jesus affirms something of great magnificence for us…like Peter who is now considered a son of the King by faith, we too who believe are adopted into the King’s house and are also sons of the King.
Galatians 3:26–4:7 (ESV)
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Jesus is teaching us that by faith we become children of God. He’s teaching us the doctrine of adoption. Adoption exposes our lavish spiritual identity: children of God, brothers of Christ, joint heirs with him, and co-regents in his kingdom. In adoption as sons and daughters we have full rights as children within the royal household. In Christ you are beloved of God and counted as children of God.
John mentions adoption at the beginning of his gospel, where he says, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12). By contrast, those who do not believe in Christ are not children of God or adopted into his family, but are “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3) and “sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2; 5:6). Although those Jews who rejected Christ tried to claim that God was their father (John 8:41), Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me … You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” (John 8:42–44).
The sons of the King are free.
What does our freedom in Christ mean?
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
We are set free from slavery to sin and set free from the guilt of sin. Our freedom comes about because Christ took our punishment as law breakers so our debt has been paid. Now we are free from the yoke of slavery from the Law. However, our freedom also means that we are not free to do whatever we want. We are now slaves to Christ. As His bondservants we must follow Him.
3. Our Freedom Comes With Responsibilities
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.”
So, we see that with our freedom in Christ there comes holy responsibilities.
After Jesus teaches Peter that he is free because he is now a son, Jesus still desires that the Tax be paid because with freedom comes the responsibility not to give an offense. Here is the idea of our freedom as sons causing someone else to be ensnared and led into sin by our freedom.
We must be cautious like Jesus is here.
If they did not pay the tax then those collecting would be put in an awkward position. If they didn’t pay the tax it would make it seem as if Jesus did not care about the Temple which He did.
So, our Lord tells Peter that the tax should be paid not because they had to but because it would show love and care toward others.
Sometimes we too must reign in our freedoms so as to better care for and love those around us.
Conclusion
Christian liberty must never be flaunted. “Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God” (Rom. 14:22, NIV).
Here’s an example from the Bible…
We are free in Christ from the Mosaic dietary laws; Christ has pronounced all food clean (Mark 7:18-19). We may eat whatever we like.
However, if I’m going to visit a Jewish family, I will not exercise my freedom to eat something they may think is unclean.
But you do not need to exercise your liberty in order to enjoy it. Indeed, Paul elsewhere asks some very penetrating questions of those who insist on exercising their liberty whatever the circumstances: Does this really build up others? Is this really liberating you—or has it actually begun to enslave you?
Romans 14:19 (ESV)
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV)
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
The subtle truth is that the Christian who has to exercise his or her liberty is in bondage to the very thing he or she insists on doing. Says Paul, if the kingdom consists for you in food, drink, and the like, you have missed the point of the gospel and the freedom of the Spirit.
Romans 14:17 (ESV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s caution to us is that in exercising freedom we can be enslaved to that if we are not careful. Because the Kingdom of God is not food whether to those who are enslaved by OT dietary laws or to those enslaved by the freedom of eating all foods and drinking all drinks. God’s Kingdom in which we are sons and daughters in Christ is righteousness and peace in the Holy Spirit.
Truth Taught- God is at work in history to decree, to plan, to announce, and to accomplish the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Jesus’ task now, as we mentioned last time, is to equip His disciples to become leaders in the Church once He has accomplished His mission to come and save His people from their sin. He has lived a perfect life free from all sin. He is perfectly obedient to His Father’s will. Twice, the Father has commended Jesus to us by declaring, this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Jesus is now teaching His disciples what being the Messiah has in store for Him and for them. He will go to Jerusalem and die and on the third day be raised from the dead.
On at least four occasions in the Synoptic Gospels Jesus will tell His followers about the upcoming events of His suffering, death and resurrection.
1. Jesus Makes Multiple Predictions About His Death and Resurrection
Our Lord makes multiple predictions concerning His death and resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels.