Coming to Know Him
It is late...12:44am, and it is still snowing here! We really got a lot of snow! I have been in touch with my mom yesterday and today, and have had some good conversations with her. I have been studying tithing, as well as the meanings of the sacrifices outlined in the Book of Leviticus and their connection to the New Testament. One article I read stated that the early Church didn't have the written New Testament consisting of the letters to the Churches, like we have today. From what I have read in Scripture, apparently the early Church leaders like Paul and Peter taught a lot about Jesus by showing where the Old Testament foretold about Him. I have thought that would be a fun thing to do - to look at all the places that foretold or prophesied about Jesus, and how they were fulfilled.
One article I read mentioned that the Jewish people paid a "temple tax", which was used to pay the expenses for maintaining the Temple back then. In Matthew 17:24-27 there is an account that shows how gentle and considerate our Savior is. It says:
"And when they came to Capernaum, they that received tribute (the annual Temple tax) came to Peter and said, 'Doesn't your master pay tribute?' Peter said, 'Yes he does'. And when Peter came into the house (where Jesus was), Jesus anticipated him and said, "What do you think Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children or of strangers? Peter said to Him, "Of strangers". Jesus said, "Then the children are free. However, so we don't offend them, go cast a hook, take up a fish, open its mouth, take the money and give it to them for you and me."
The author of this article pointed out how gracious Jesus was in this situation. Peter was embarrassed that Jesus had not paid the tax, so he lied and said "Yes he does" when they confronted Peter about it. Jesus didn't wait and make Peter come and tell Him what happened. He extends grace. He initiates the conversation about it and invites Peters involvement. Also, He does not confront Peter for having lied. He doesn't rant about how unfair taxes are. . .lol He supplies the means for both His AND Peter's taxes to be paid. The author of this article also makes the point that Jesus really didn't have to pay the "Temple tax" because He was the True Temple (He said so Himself in John 2:19-21 "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise rit up. Then the Jews said, It took 46 years to build this temple, and will you rebuild it in three days? But He spoke of the temple of His body.) The author also points out that the Temple tax was established "to make atonement for their souls" in Exodus 30:13-16. Jesus is our atonement (Romans 5:11). Also, Jesus is the King of the Kingdom. The King does not pay taxes. However, Jesus said that He would pay the tax anyway in order to not offend others.
I really like scriptures like this that paint us a portrait of what Jesus was like. It makes me appreciate Him more and more. Besides, how can we be conformed into His image if we don't know what that image looks like? That is the whole point of Bible study to me. To come to know Him more and more so that I can be like Him.
One article I read mentioned that the Jewish people paid a "temple tax", which was used to pay the expenses for maintaining the Temple back then. In Matthew 17:24-27 there is an account that shows how gentle and considerate our Savior is. It says:
"And when they came to Capernaum, they that received tribute (the annual Temple tax) came to Peter and said, 'Doesn't your master pay tribute?' Peter said, 'Yes he does'. And when Peter came into the house (where Jesus was), Jesus anticipated him and said, "What do you think Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children or of strangers? Peter said to Him, "Of strangers". Jesus said, "Then the children are free. However, so we don't offend them, go cast a hook, take up a fish, open its mouth, take the money and give it to them for you and me."
The author of this article pointed out how gracious Jesus was in this situation. Peter was embarrassed that Jesus had not paid the tax, so he lied and said "Yes he does" when they confronted Peter about it. Jesus didn't wait and make Peter come and tell Him what happened. He extends grace. He initiates the conversation about it and invites Peters involvement. Also, He does not confront Peter for having lied. He doesn't rant about how unfair taxes are. . .lol He supplies the means for both His AND Peter's taxes to be paid. The author of this article also makes the point that Jesus really didn't have to pay the "Temple tax" because He was the True Temple (He said so Himself in John 2:19-21 "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise rit up. Then the Jews said, It took 46 years to build this temple, and will you rebuild it in three days? But He spoke of the temple of His body.) The author also points out that the Temple tax was established "to make atonement for their souls" in Exodus 30:13-16. Jesus is our atonement (Romans 5:11). Also, Jesus is the King of the Kingdom. The King does not pay taxes. However, Jesus said that He would pay the tax anyway in order to not offend others.
I really like scriptures like this that paint us a portrait of what Jesus was like. It makes me appreciate Him more and more. Besides, how can we be conformed into His image if we don't know what that image looks like? That is the whole point of Bible study to me. To come to know Him more and more so that I can be like Him.
posted by Laurie T at
12:34 AM
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