M A T T H E W 1 7 : 2 4 - 2 7

THE HALF SHEKEL Dilemma

“When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the tax?’ ” M a t t h e w 1 7 : 2 4 This temple tax of two-drachma is based on the tax that was placed on the Jews for the building of the tabernacle when the Jews were taken out of Egypt. (SLIDE)

“Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the LORD. 14 Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the LORD’s offering.” E x o d u s 3 0 : 1 3 - 1 4 It should be noted here that this “tax” was not required by the Jews nor did it have any punishment associated with it most of the time because it was specific and limited to the original tabernacle. However the Jews kept the tax as a free will offering to help with the upkeep of the tabernacle and later the temple. The tax was always on a volunteer basis though from time to time, like in Jesus’ day, the elders would impose possible punishments for not paying the tax. However the punishments were so light that it was rarely if ever enforced. (SLIDE)

Let’s look again at our text here. (SLIDE)

“When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the tax?’ ” M a t t h e w 1 7 : 2 4

“He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?’ 26 And when he said, “From others,’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free.’ ” M a t t h e w 1 7 : 2 5 - 2 6 Notice Peter didn’t even ask Jesus, he just answered for Him and himself. I think this demonstrates that this was a common practice for himself and Jesus, thus he didn’t think twice. However…(SLIDE)

Dilemma HALF SHEKEL THE Here is the dilemma… If Jesus pays the temple tax then people could say, “Look he is just like everyone else.” This is late in Jesus’ ministry and people know He is claiming to be the Son of God not just another Jew. If Jesus exempts Himself from the temple tax then people could say, “Look he is simply a Rabbi like the other Rabbis.” Once again Jesus is greater than even the temple itself much less the other Rabbis (Matthew 12:6). The truth is, Jesus is in between the proverbial “rock and a hard place.” This isn’t the first time Jesus has been placed in such a difficult place, though through no fault of their own. (SLIDE)

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” M a t t h e w 1 1 : 1 8 - 1 9 So this isn’t the first time Jesus has been painted into a corner and it won’t be the last. So what lesson does Jesus want Peter and subsequently us to learn from this dilemma? (SLIDE)

Dilemmas Today The reality is just like with Jesus and his disciples, people will try and “trip us up.” They will put us in situations that are not comfortable and seem to have no perfect way out. Jesus demonstrates how to handle such situations with His advice for Peter. (SLIDE)

“However, not to give offense 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.” M a t t h e w 1 7 : 2 7 There will be times in our lives where we have the right to do one thing but because of the situation or dilemma it is better not to do such. In fact, this is exactly what Paul is getting at when he wrote concerning the eating of meat that had been sacrificed to idols. He ends that discourse by saying…(SLIDE)

“Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 1 0 : 3 2 - 3 3 When we get in these dilemma’s of no fault of our own both Christ and Paul here give great advice…”give no offense.” In other words…(SLIDE)

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” R o m a n s 1 2 : 1 8

Dilemmas Today Like Christ we can’t escape every dilemma but we can do the next best thing and that is strive to “give no offense.”

Peter went and fished a shekel out of a fish’s mouth and made both Peter’s and Jesus’ temple tax. There apparently was not conflict more with this delimma. M A T T H E W 1 7 : 2 4 - 2 7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7