Our paragraph topic is:
(Paying the Temple tax) Part 1.
Christ and his disciples traveled on until they reached Capharnaum. And in Capharnaum the collectors of the tax were waiting. It was their job to make sure that the taxes were paid. It was their job to make sure that the taxes were collected from all who entered the city. It was there job to make sure that according to the law that the levy was paid to the temple so that all would bear responsibility. The Law stated that the taxes would be paid by all. The Law stated that all would support the maintenance and upkeep of the temple. And the Law must be exacted upon all.
But there were those who did not pay. There were those who had special privilege. There were those who were above the law. And the payment of the tax was looked upon with disdain. So many were forced to pay the tax or suffer the consequences of the Law. Support the temple. Support the high priest. Support the Pharisees and the Sadducees so that they were able to continue to live the lifestyle that their positions afforded. All must pay. All must give. All must pay their fair share. And those who were exempt would receive the benefits of the income that came from the tax.
So when the disciples entered the city and Christ did not pay the tax, Peter was questioned. He was questioned concerning an answer that he did not know how to reply. Does the Son of Man pay tribute others? Does the Son of God give support to pay for the continuation of an unjust system? Peter was confused. Peter was concerned. So in order to not cause alarm with the tax collectors he answered what they wanted to hear, even though he was still at odds with the system. And when they had come to Capharnaum, those who were collecting the didrachma came to Peter, and said, "Does your Master not pay the didrachma?" He said, "Yes."
There were things that raised the ire of people in the time of Christ and there are things that raised the ire of people today. There are many opportunities for us to get mad about the injustices that we experience today. Why does the cost of gasoline continue to go up? Why do we experience high electric and high gas bills, where the per unit costs is not fixed but fluctuate? Why are food prices increasing but our income decreasing? Why do we have to pay increasing taxes to the government and then hear about government waste?
There are many things in the world that would cause us to be mad and angry, but where does it get us? Why do we get angry? Why do we get mad? Why are we frustrated with the system? We want more and we do not want to suffer the consequences of what the world forces upon us. We want more money. We want more food. We want more clothes, cars, boats, women, drinks, good times. We want to live in high places, we want all that this life has to offer, just like the others that we see having the good life. Yet we do not realize that this world is dying, this world is decaying right before our eyes and we cannot see it.
For those who believe, they already have their rewards. For those who are in Christ, he provides for all our needs. For those who abide with the Holy Spirit, there is no greater reward than what has already been given. We do not need to get mad. We do not need to be angry. Christ provides all. Christ cares for all. Christ is all to those who know and believe. He fulfills all our needs and all our desires. His fulfillment is not temporary but permanent. His fulfillment is everlasting. His provisions are more than this world could ever offer. Patience is the key. Practice "perfect patience" and witness the miracles of God, for he will provide. He will come through. He will protect. And he will fulfill all of the promises he has given to those who love him.
Seek the kingdom of heaven and all else will be provided to you. Have faith in the Lord and practice the patience that comes with the knowledge of truth. Trust in the creator of the universe and you will be rewarded with the riches of the universe. For material riches have nothing of value compared to the riches of heaven. Crave not for the dirt of the earth but crave the kingdom of God. I sought to know. I sought to find. I knocked on the door and asked God to know his love. I was touched by his love and now I know. This is the path I traveled. This is the road I walked. It is before you. Come! Walk the road with me and we will share a life of joy and happiness in the love of Christ and the love of God our Father.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
Christ and his disciples traveled on until they reached Capharnaum. And in Capharnaum the collectors of the tax were waiting. It was their job to make sure that the taxes were paid. It was their job to make sure that the taxes were collected from all who entered the city. It was there job to make sure that according to the law that the levy was paid to the temple so that all would bear responsibility. The Law stated that the taxes would be paid by all. The Law stated that all would support the maintenance and upkeep of the temple. And the Law must be exacted upon all.
But there were those who did not pay. There were those who had special privilege. There were those who were above the law. And the payment of the tax was looked upon with disdain. So many were forced to pay the tax or suffer the consequences of the Law. Support the temple. Support the high priest. Support the Pharisees and the Sadducees so that they were able to continue to live the lifestyle that their positions afforded. All must pay. All must give. All must pay their fair share. And those who were exempt would receive the benefits of the income that came from the tax.
So when the disciples entered the city and Christ did not pay the tax, Peter was questioned. He was questioned concerning an answer that he did not know how to reply. Does the Son of Man pay tribute others? Does the Son of God give support to pay for the continuation of an unjust system? Peter was confused. Peter was concerned. So in order to not cause alarm with the tax collectors he answered what they wanted to hear, even though he was still at odds with the system. And when they had come to Capharnaum, those who were collecting the didrachma came to Peter, and said, "Does your Master not pay the didrachma?" He said, "Yes."
There were things that raised the ire of people in the time of Christ and there are things that raised the ire of people today. There are many opportunities for us to get mad about the injustices that we experience today. Why does the cost of gasoline continue to go up? Why do we experience high electric and high gas bills, where the per unit costs is not fixed but fluctuate? Why are food prices increasing but our income decreasing? Why do we have to pay increasing taxes to the government and then hear about government waste?
There are many things in the world that would cause us to be mad and angry, but where does it get us? Why do we get angry? Why do we get mad? Why are we frustrated with the system? We want more and we do not want to suffer the consequences of what the world forces upon us. We want more money. We want more food. We want more clothes, cars, boats, women, drinks, good times. We want to live in high places, we want all that this life has to offer, just like the others that we see having the good life. Yet we do not realize that this world is dying, this world is decaying right before our eyes and we cannot see it.
For those who believe, they already have their rewards. For those who are in Christ, he provides for all our needs. For those who abide with the Holy Spirit, there is no greater reward than what has already been given. We do not need to get mad. We do not need to be angry. Christ provides all. Christ cares for all. Christ is all to those who know and believe. He fulfills all our needs and all our desires. His fulfillment is not temporary but permanent. His fulfillment is everlasting. His provisions are more than this world could ever offer. Patience is the key. Practice "perfect patience" and witness the miracles of God, for he will provide. He will come through. He will protect. And he will fulfill all of the promises he has given to those who love him.
Seek the kingdom of heaven and all else will be provided to you. Have faith in the Lord and practice the patience that comes with the knowledge of truth. Trust in the creator of the universe and you will be rewarded with the riches of the universe. For material riches have nothing of value compared to the riches of heaven. Crave not for the dirt of the earth but crave the kingdom of God. I sought to know. I sought to find. I knocked on the door and asked God to know his love. I was touched by his love and now I know. This is the path I traveled. This is the road I walked. It is before you. Come! Walk the road with me and we will share a life of joy and happiness in the love of Christ and the love of God our Father.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
