Friday, February 8, 2008
Psalm 130; Matthew 17:22-27“Then the sons are free.” (Matthew 17:26)
Interestingly, this tax that the collectors ask Peter about is probably the census tax, described in Exodus 30:12 and following:
“When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them…half a shekel as an offering to the LORD… the rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives… that is may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.”
It apparently had turned into a temple tax in Jesus’ day, and around when Matthew was written the Romans demanded all Jews to pay it to the Roman government… but the original language of ransom and atonement is interesting.
Jesus seems to be saying that he and Peter are free, that they are sons of the King of the earth. However, not to give offense he provides the tax in an amazing, though kind of bizarre, way. Perhaps Jesus is showing that he is the king of the earth, or one with Him, by displaying his provision through such a way.
The King provides for ransom and atonement of his own. The King also provides for his children that they may fulfill their obligations within their society. This again may say something to us about the intersection of the kingdom and the world, or the involvement of the sons of the kingdom in the world (13:36-43), including be open and obedient to Jesus as he tells us to engage in, serve, or just be a responsible citizen and steward of our world… even if it’s in some ways we don’t understand. And all in the freedom of the children of God.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
And with him is plenteous redemption,
And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
(Psalm 130:7-8)
No comments:
Post a Comment