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.
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.
Our paragraph topic is:
(The second prediction of the passion) Part 2.
They were on their way to Jerusalem with the Lord. Many had assumed that he would be the ruler. Many thought that he was going to take over the leadership of the High Priest. Many were happy because they saw a change coming. And many were joyous because they believed that it was time for a change. Christ knew otherwise. He knew that it was time for a change and that change was a sacrifice, the sacrifice to justify mankind with God.
He told them on several occasions of the Passion. He warned them of what was about to take place. He told them that he would suffer and that he would face death. But they only thought about the change coming. They only thought about the joy that would come when the old rulers were removed and new ones came to be. They did not think about the struggle. They did not think about the sacrifice that would come. They did not think about the suffering. They only thought about what they wanted to hear, what they believed would happen, what they wanted to think.
Evil was afoot and plans were being made to destroy Christ. Evil was in the house and evil was in the minds and evil was in the mouths and on the lips of those in power. For they spoke of ways to destroy him. They wanted to stop him. They wanted him hanged for the embarrassment that he had caused them. They wanted to control him and could not. For each time they attempted to control him they failed. Each time they sought to win, they did not. Each time they came with a trick, they could not trick him. For Christ knew them. He knew who they worshipped. He who they were. For they were children of evil. They were the sons of evil and their father was the father of all lies.
Christ came to bring about change. He came with the sword to separate the wolves from the lambs. He came to stop the lies, to stop the deceit, to stop the death of the innocent. He came to bring life. But evil did not want the people to have life. Evil did not want the people to know the truth. Evil did not want the people to know who they are and who they belonged to. Evil wanted the people for itself. Evil wanted the people to do evil and to destroy Christ because evil could not change him, could not turn him, could not seduce him, could not control him. So evil had to destroy him.
Christ had to tell his disciples that they would know. He had to speak the truth that they would believe after the truth had taken place. And they were sad to hear this. For he said: "And they will kill him; and, on the third day he will rise again." And they were exceedingly sorry.
How do we feel today that Christ died? How do we feel today that he suffered such pain and agony? How do we feel today that he had to be the sacrifice for our sins and not us? We live in a world that only rarely shows us the pain that he endured. We live in a world that deceives us into believing that we are alright and life must go on. We live in a world that does not want us to know who we are in Christ. For the world wants to deceive us. The world wants to hide us from the truth. The world wants to keep us in the dark and away from the light that awaits us in Christ.
Come! Follow the path before you. Read the truth of who you are in Him who gave you life. Know the truth of your true life and not the artificial life of the physical. For you are like angels, created in the image and likeness of God. You are sons and daughters of the one true God, the living God. If you seek to know, if you seek to find, if you seek to see that which is within you, come read that which is given to you as manna from heaven. It has been given to me and I now pass it on to you. I am a witness, a voice crying in the wilderness, testifying that he has come to me and will come to you also if you seek him. He awaits your call. He listens for your voice. He anticipates your needs and will provide for your wants. Christ loves you, the Holy Spirit greets 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.
