Re:Verse passage – Matthew 17:24-27 (day four)
Jesus is providing an example for us to follow. If there was ever a person who should be exempt from a Temple tax, it would be Jesus. After all, the Temple was built to worship and honor His Father. The example He set was not just whether or not to pay taxes. He showed us that our personal rights should always take a back seat to our being in a position to share the gospel.
Jesus left His throne in heaven to humble Himself and come to earth. He came to give His life so that we can have forgiveness of our sin and eternal life in heaven. If we offend someone, why would they ever listen to our witness? When we go to another nation on mission, we try not to offend their cultural norms so that they will hear what we have to say. If we offend our neighbor over some petty action, how can we turn around and tell them about the love of God? Our obedience and usefulness to God is much more important than our personal rights!
Thank you for sharing this. So good. Jesus humbled himself to the lowest degree so He could spread out His arms to reach the world with the love of God. That humbles me and convicts me in my own life.