St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 21c; God's things.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 11.  

They would not cease in their endeavor to trap him in his words.  Christ knew their plans.  This is why he was angry with them because they continued to test him.  They didn't know that he was the Christ, the Messiah.  They only thought that he was a fake, a fraud, a charlatan, some one who sought to turn the people away from the rule of law of the Jews.  And it was their duty, their responsibility to show him as such.

They didn't believe.  They didn't see.  Despite all their wisdom and knowledge they could not come to see what the little people were seeing and believing.  No prophet before Christ had come to perform the miracles or come to do the things that he did or spoke such words of truth.  But the people of wisdom and knowledge were blinded.  They could not see.  They could nor believe.  So they continued to test him and ask questions to trap him.  They asked: "If it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar."  And Christ gave them their answer.   "Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  

And that was part of the answer that they wanted to hear but part of the answer that they did not want to hear.  For it was complex in it's response.  Give to Caesar the things that are his and to God the things that belong to God's . 

What belongs to Caesar?  Of course the tribute belongs to Caesar because the people lived under the rule of Caesar and the Roman Empire.  What belongs to God?  We belong to God because he made us, gave us life, gives us the sun and the moon and the water and the plants and the food and all the things that we need to live.  We give praise and glory to God for his love and provisions and protection.  We give tribute to Caesar.  And we give hope to God for the life that he promises after we leave this shell here on earth.  We give our obedience to Caesar because he sets the laws of the land.  We give our faith, our belief, and our praise and our glory to God for the tomorrow that he provides for he is our life and our promise for all eternity.

We live to share in the life that he has promised through Christ Jesus.  We share that belief with all our brothers and sisters with love.  For it is through love that we are all bound together as one.  For out of love we came forth.  And it is through the love of his son Christ Jesus that we exist today.  We are the creation of love everlasting.   

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 nd 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.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 21b; Caesar's things.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 10.  

And now we come to the meat of the issue.  They wanted to know what Christ thought of the tribute to Caesar and he told them.  He gave them what they wanted to hear.  He knew that they wanted to trap him in his own words so he gave them words that they could not use to trap him and words that would not contradict his teachings.

Caesar was the face on the coin of tribute and the inscription.  They wanted to know if it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar as he was the national leader of the Roman Empire.  Christ told them:  Then he said to them, "Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's."  

They wanted to know so he told them what they wanted to know.  What they did not know was that Caesar belonged to God and not to Caesar.  God created him, raised him, gave him power, allowed him to do the things that he did in order to fulfill his plans.  So Caesar was a part of God's long range plan and not the other way around.  When the time came for the Son of Man to walk the earth and to submit himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind all would be in place according to the long range plans of God.  Everything came to fruition.

There is a saying that God smiles at us each day that we wake up and plan our days and what we want to do with our lives.  We believe that we are in charge and that we make things happen according to our own will.  He gave us free will and we can make our own decisions as to what we want to do each day.  This is what gives him smiles. 

We set our course down the road of life not knowing what lies ahead or what paths we take.  We are in charge.  We have rosy dreams of what we are going to make of our lives and how we are going to make it big in life.  We are going to have this happy life ahead of ourselves.  And when the roadblocks come and the letdowns and setbacks come we become broken and scared.  Our dreams fly out the window and we settle for something much less.  And this is the part where our morals and values are compromised and changed.  

We are born rich.  Our dreams are already fulfilled.  We are who we want to be already.  That is what is given to us from birth.  But we must accept who we are and not compromise with what the world has to offer.  Christ came to give back what was loss to us from the beginning.  Our treasure awaits us in heaven.  We are a humble people, a loving people.  We are a forgiving people, a merciful people like our Father.  This is our realization.  This is our hope, our dream, our love, our desire, to be like him who came to live among us, to show us how to live.  There is nothing here on earth that can satisfy the hunger that is within us.  Only he can fulfill that need.  And the joy and peace that comes from his presences is so overwhelming that once you have had that a tiny experience of it, you will want for nothing else.  

Come then and seek that which is yours, freely given at no cost.  His love awaits you.  The door to his palace is open and the angels are preparing a feast in your honor.  Let us celebrate and rejoice to your awakening.

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 nd 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.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 21a; Caesar.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 9.  

They had crafted their question with precision so that every word would weigh upon a given response.  Was it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?  Christ was not concerned with local politics.  He was not steeped in regional or national politics.  His was the concern of his father, the kingdom of heaven.  His concern was the politics of the universe and the whole human race not that of the local, regional, or national leader.  Yet the Herodians sought to test him with this question on tribute.

He knew not Caesar.  He knew not the local coinage.  He only knew that which his Father had given him to know and see and do.  He had a mission and a purpose given him by his heavenly father and there were those who sought to impede his progress.  There were those who sought to trap him.  But they were not successful.  He knew about their scheme, their plan and he went along with what they were doing.  So he asked them for the coin of tribute and he asked who's image and inscription it was upon the coin.  They said to him, "Caesar's." 

They were in his world and he was in theirs.  They did not know him but he knew them from eternity.  He saw them but they did not see nor hear him.  They were blind, deaf, and dumb to the word.  So he played their game, answered their questions, and gave them what they thought that they wanted to hear.  His was the universe, theirs was the grain of sand on the earth.  His was the augh and majesty of the Father, theirs was the pain and death of the flesh.  They knew not nor sought not.

Who do we know today?  Do we know our Father?  Do we know Christ the redeemer?  Do we know the life he has given us?  Do we know the light of life that is within each of us?  Can we get in touch with the living energy that is ours for eternity?  Or are we only here for today and gone tomorrow to the darkness?  What do we see when we close our eyes?  Is it darkness or is it the light of life?

Christ is with us if we only seek to find him.  He will come if we call him.  He will provide if we ask for his help.  He will protect us if we know him and believe in him.  He is the living Son of the Father.  He is the Son of Man.  He is the Son of God our Father, the creator of the universe.  And he is the origin of the love that we seek to fill our needs.  For nothing on this earth can satisfy the need that is within us except that which comes from God.  He awaits your call.  He will rejoice at your voice.  He will reward you with riches if you only believe in him and seek his wisdom and knowledge.  God loves.  God is!

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 nd 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.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 22, verse: 17b; Is it lawful.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Tribute to Caesar) Part 5.  

And there it was the question of the season.  The question that they knew would cause Christ to stumble, the question that would cause him to hesitate because he was a man of God and did not care for the person of man.  Yet Caesar was the emperor and they knew that all had to bow to Caesar and pay tribute.  So they waited with glee to hear what would be the response of this man of God who called himself the Christ.

Yet still with all their learned knowledge and their wisdom, they did not understand the words that they had studied, the words that they had heard, the words that came forth from the mouth of Christ.  They were blind and deaf and without understanding of the knowledge that comes from the children of God so they asked the question:  "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?"  

How he must have felt for them at that moment that they asked him this question.  What volumes it must have told him about the persons that were before him at that moment and what they wanted from him.  How shallow they must have seemed as he gazed upon them and through them to see the emptiness within, that they did not or could not comprehend the nature of the question that they asked of him.

He was the Christ, the Son of God, who came down from heaven to walk and talk among the children of God.  He came to experience first hand the nature of who we are and the life we live.  He wanted to be an example to us, to show us how life should be and is in heaven without hatred and lust, and murder and slander, false witness, and all the other sins that have came from the fall of man and the triumph of evil on earth.

Yet there were those who were under the influence of evil and wanted to continue the reign and dominance of evil for all eternity.  But Christ came to bring an end to death, an end to the dominance of evil.  He came to be a light in the darkness, a door open to those who sought a new life, a life without the influence of evil.  Oh what a glorious day it must have been to walk in the presence of the Lord, to experience his light, his mercy, his love, his peace.  Heaven awaits those who have not seen but still believe.  For the soul hungers for the presence of the Lord and nothing can satisfy that hunger except his love.  

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 nd 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.  

St. Matthew, Chapter 21, verse: 7, They paid him homage.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Triumphal entry into Jerusalem) Part 2. 

They had no white stallion for him to ride.  They had no parade for him to be seen in.  They had no twenty-one gun salute to honor him.  They only had the ass and the colt for him to ride upon.  So as simple men they paid honor and tribute in their own simple way.

The people were with them.  They knew that he would come to the celebration.  They were waiting.  They were looking for him.  They all had heard of his miracles and his deeds.  And they expected him to come to Jerusalem to bring about change.  And the little people, the poor, the downtrodden, the beggars, those in pain and suffering from oppression sought him out and paid homage to him in their own simple way.  And they brought the ass and the colt, laid their cloaks on them, and made him sit thereon. 

This was what they knew how to do.  They were poor and lowly people who worship the Messiah.  Others could not see. Others did not believe.  Most were skeptical and refused to believe in the word that they heard.  Yet here he was, coming into Jerusalem, into their mist for the celebration of the year.  The little ones saw and believe.  They knew that he was the Messiah.  There was no doubt in their minds or in their hearts.  They knew that he had come to bring about change.  But they did not know how the change would happen.

He has said that he will return, that all will see and know.  He has said that he will return on a cloud for all to see.  And we wait with patience for that day, that time, that hour when we must be ready for his coming.  Will you be ready?  Will you be prepared?  Or will the thief catch you asleep and not on guard? 

We live in a world with many distractions, where we can be blind to the truth.  We have opportunities to play, and relax, and to enjoy all that the world has to offer.  We have opportunity to get caught up in the pleasures of the world and opportunity to forget who we are.  Be not blinded.  Be not caught up in the pleasures.  Be not deceived into believing that the day will never come.  For certain as we live and breathe the day is fast approaching.  And our time is limited.  The day is not given to us.  The hour is not ours to have.  The thief will come and take away all, when you are not ready.  Be in guard at all times.  It is written for all to see, for all to know.  And the word will be fulfilled.

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 nd 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.

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 25, Tribute to the kings of the earth: The Exempt.

Our paragraph topic is:  Paying the Temple tax) Part 3.   

  Peter was disturbed by the question asked of him by the tax collector.  When he entered the house, Christ knew that he was disturbed.  So he questioned Peter as to the reason that he was disturbed.  He asked Simon who paid the taxes to the kings of the earth.  Was it the sons of the kings or was it everyone else that bore the tribute to the kings?  And this was the questioned that weighted heavily upon Peter, that everyone else paid the tax while the sons were exempt.

Christ saw the anger and the frustration in Simon and sought to address it.  He knew that Peter was disturbed over this issue.  He knew that the door to anger was being opened in him.  He could see the years of frustration that Peter had experienced with the payment of the tax and he wanted to demonstrate to him the protection and the provision of his heavenly father.  So he questioned Peter on the issue to demonstrate the power of our father.  He asked Peter who paid the tax, was it the sons or others?  Peter responded:  And he said, "From others." Jesus said to him, "The sons then are exempt."

Those that have and those that have not, is a reality that we face each day of our lives.  We all want to be privileged.  We all want to have the things in life that we see others with.  We want to live like movie stars because that is what we are presented with.  We want to live like royalty.  We want to have the things that this world offers to us as things we need to have, things we desire, things that will make us happy.  

The sons of kings are exempt.  They are given the luxuries of this world.  They are provided the joys and happiness that comes with wealth.  They do not have to suffer the trials and tribulation that we all face in our daily lives.  We are given the opportunity to achieve all through our hard work, through our intelligence, through our ingenuity, through what ever means are available to us, even if that means transgressing the natural laws or the spiritual laws of heaven.  We want what we want and this is what we live with daily.

Christ has given us a choice.  He has provided us with an opportunity.   He has opened a door that will lead us to the riches of the universe if we just believe in him.  For our treasure is in heaven and not on this earth.  Our provisions are with him and not with this physical realm that we are faced with daily.  And with our treasure our hearts are filled with his love, his peace, his joy.  And this is a joy that nothing on this earth can compare with, a joy that fills us, a joy that completes us, a joy that is everlasting and not fleeting.  

Fret not upon the things of this world that you see.  Desire not the passions of this life that will lead astray and possess.  Our goal is Christ.  Our passion is his love.   Our desires are his will.  Our peace is his provision.  Our knowledge is his wisdom that comes through the Holy Spirit.  Our truth is our Father in heaven who loves us, protects us, and provides for us.  He calls to you.  He waits for you.  He holds you in his arms.  He will fill you with his love.  Open your heart and see the truth of who you are in him.  See the truth of your light and your life in Christ and you too will know.    

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. 

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 24b, Tribute to the kings of the earth: Who pays?

Our paragraph topic is:  (Paying the Temple tax) Part 2.

Simon Peter was returning from the chores of the day, speaking with the people, walking in the market place, meeting with old friends, etc.  He had come to be known amongst the people.  He had some connections.  He was recognized as a follower of Christ and his disciple.  So people came to him.  People recognized him.  People in the villages and towns knew of him as he traveled with Christ.  But Simon was not yet known as the leader of the church that was about to come.  He was not yet seen as Christ's representative here on earth.

Christ recognized him as a leader.  Christ trained him to lead.  He gave him knowledge that he gave to no other disciple, knowledge that would be called upon to lead the people after the sacrifice .  So he tested Simon to see if he had learned what was being taught.  He questioned him about the lessons that he was given.  And he asked specific questions of Simon to see what his response would become.  So when Simon returned from his chores  Christ asked of his learning.  But  when he had entered the house, Jesus spoke first, saying, "What dost thou think, Simon?   “From whom do the kings of the earth  receive tribute or customs; from their own sons, or from others?"

Tribute was a touchy subject in those times just as it is today.  Christ wanted to know the thoughts of Simon Peter.  He wanted to demonstrate to him a lesson.  He wanted to show him that there was no reason to worry or to allow the trials and tribulations of the day to infect his mind and soul.  Just as Jesus wanted to instruct Peter in his time, he wants to instruct us today about all the issues that we as a people face.  He wants to comfort us.  He wants to protect us.  He wants to provide for us just as he did with Simon.

We worry about the issues that we face each day, especially for those who do not have the wealth of riches.  And even those who do have wealth, they worry also how to keep that wealth, how to hold on to it and not loose it or have it taken from them.  Yet it is that same wealth the same riches that becomes the reason for our downfall, the prison for an eternity.  Worry opens the door to anxiety about what we will eat, where we will sleep, will we have a roof over our head, what clothes we will wear, and many other issues we face daily.  It is these issues that will lead us astray.  It is these issues that will pressure us and force us to make decisions that could cause us to lie, cheat, steal, bear false witness, commit adultery, and all manner of sins against our father.  And they all stem from our disbelief in the Lord of the Universe, our God.

Our Father sent his only son from heaven that he may teach us and instruct us how to live, how to have joy, how to have peace.  He sent Christ Jesus to us that we may have life, first and foremost.  We were dead!  We had no life!  We are spiritual beings in a physical body.  We were doomed for an eternity in our physical bodies, and Christ came and gave us spiritual life, life beyond the physical.  Believe and you shall receive.  Ask and it shall be given you.  Seek and you shall find.  Knock and it shall be opened to you. 

Do not worry.  Do not fret.  Trust in the Lord and he will provide.  Worry no more.  Fret no more.  Receive the gift that God has in store for you.  I have.  I trust.  I know the truth.  My destiny has been rearranged that I may walk in the way of the Lord and I see miracles in my life each and everyday.  Believe in the Lord and practice "perfect patience" and you will witness miracles.  Come!  Walk with me and I will show you how to receive the light of the Holy Spirit.  He will reveal all to you.  God our father loves you.  Christ loves you and so do I.

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. 

St Matthew, Chapter 17, verse: 23-24a, Tribute to the kings of the earth: The Question?

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.