Grace Revolution: Experience the Power to Live Above Defeat by Joseph Prince

Author:Joseph Prince [Prince, Joseph]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Religion / Christian Life / Personal Growth, RELIGION / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth, Religion / Christian Life / Inspirational
Publisher: FaithWords
Published: 2015-10-27T07:00:00+00:00

To really grow in grace and see its fruit manifest in our lives, we need to keep hearing the Son and His words of grace.

The Pull of Other Voices

In Matthew’s account, the chapter ends with Peter and Jesus going to Capernaum (see Matt. 17:24–27). When they were there, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. “Yes, He does,” Peter replied confidently and without hesitation.

We then read that Jesus asked Peter, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

To Jesus’ question, Peter replied, “From strangers.” Jesus said, “Then the sons are free.”

Now what was all that about? You see, Peter had been very quick to say yes to the temple tax collectors and again had not quite known what he was saying. What was the issue really about? Under the law of Moses, the temple tax was for the maintenance of the temple, which was built for God. But Jesus as the Son did not have to pay the temple tax because He was greater than the temple. The Son of God had come and was right there.

Without being conscious of it, Peter had brought Jesus to the same level as Moses just as he had on the Mount of Transfiguration. Now, Peter’s motive was good—he was doing it for Jesus’ honor. He didn’t want people to think that Jesus didn’t pay the temple tax. But he was unconsciously looking at our Lord Jesus as a mere man and didn’t know that in his earnest zealousness, he had actually lowered our Lord by bringing Him to the same level as the law.

Whom was Peter “listening” to? He was still thinking of Moses and what Moses had said about the temple tax. He didn’t even ask or consult the Son. Earlier, on the Mount of Transfiguration, he had heard the Father say clearly, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And yet, before the chapter is over, you find that Peter again “listened” to Moses.

But look at our Lord Jesus. Was He offended? Look at what the Lord said to Peter: “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Isn’t the Lord wonderful? He patiently showed Peter that the temple tax did not apply to Him because He was the Son of the Father, and He was patiently telling Peter He would demonstrate this truth by summoning the wealth of the lake as the Creator. And as quickly as Jesus had revealed Who He was, He humbled Himself and paid the temple tax for Himself and for Peter. He is meekness and majesty, glory and humility personified! These are the excellencies of our beautiful Lord and Savior.

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