When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?”
When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in 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 you and Me.” (Matthew 17:24-27)
(Tim) The child left in me thinks this one of the most delightful of many delightful stories of Jesus' life...
How inconsiderate of money and taxes children of the Heavenly Father may be, knowing He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and has promised He will care for us tenderly. Then too, since we are sons of the King, we have the freedom (or security) to submit to our rulers and pay taxes cheerfully. Cheerfully, brothers, cheerfully--so we don't cause offense.
Oh, what I would give to hear Jesus' voice saying "we" and meaning the two of us. Can you imagine how Peter's feet tingled as he danced off to fish for the shekel right after Jesus said, "so we do not offend them"?
Just think of it, the Man said "we!" The two of us--the Lord of the Universe and me!
