And He did this when he told the people to “then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
There is a story in the Bible that speaks of Christ paying the “half-shekel” tax to the Temple…
“The collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does not your teacher pay the tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their sons or from others?’ And when he said, ‘From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. However, not to give offence to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.’” (Matthew 17:22-27).
In this story, Saint Simon Peter was asked if Christ paid the tax, and without hesitation he answered, “YES”… And he was able to do this because he knew Our Lord. He understood that God would not forfeit a tax – even though as the God of the Temple (and all the Earth) He had no real obligation to pay it. And indeed, Christ did pay the tax, so as “not to give offence to them…”
And I have been thinking about that today because it occurs to me that Christ – who was God – did not wish to cause offence. He did things that were silly and even meaningless just so that others would not be offended by the fact that He did not do them. He did things to “go with the flow” so to speak. And He did them to set a good example…
He did this when He allowed Himself to be baptised int eh river Jordan – when as God He was ALREADY a Temple of the Holy Spirit, being ONE GOD with Him…
And He did this when he told the people to “then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
And I have been thinking about that today. Because Christ who was so reviled by some – so utterly disrespected – that He lived the life of a nomad, travelling from place to place and constantly being harassed by those in authority, had every right to offend others. Christ – who is PERFECT and SINLESS – had every right to offend whoever He wished to offend. And instead of giving offence He set an example for me – complying with UNJUST (and frankly evil) human laws when He is KING OF THE UNIVERSE. And He did this to set an example for miserable souls like mine. After all, if a soul like mine could learn how to act so as not to give offence, then maybe I would be worthy of asking my Beloved to have mercy on my miserable sinful soul…
And I have been thinking about that today as I have been imagining God paying a human tax to the Temple that is HIS…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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