About the Text
(24) What is the "two-drachma" tax?
Every Jewish male over the age of 19 was required to pay about two days' wages towards the
upkeep of the Jewish temple.
(26) What did Jesus mean by saying "the sons are exempt"?
Believers who follow Jesus Christ become adopted "children" of God (cf. John
1:12-13, Eph. 1:5), and are granted freedom in Christ. Because we belong to God's royal
household, we will no longer pay taxes, and will someday reign wlth Christ when He
returns.
(27) Why was it important for Jesus not to "offend" the tax collectors
while He often offended the Pharisee Jews? Jesus did not want to block them from
believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The original Greek word for "offend" is skandalizo, which is more commonly translated as "to cause to stumble." if Jesus refused to pay the tax, the people would have interpreted it as a sign of rebellion, and His message would have been clouded among the tax paying Jews. While Jesus often offended the Pharisees with the truth (e.g. "You belong to your father, the devil"), He was at the same time careful not to do anything that would obscure the truth.
Because of Jesus Christ's death on the cross, we believers are declared free. We are free from the punishment of sin, free from the tyranny of sin, free from the need to earn favors from God, and free from following endless religious rules and regulations in order to reach God. We don't need to go to a temple to worship God, we don't need to wear a suit and tie, and we don't need pews and hymnals to please God.
But what if we're trying to reach those who do follow these
man made religious customs? Then Christ calls us to "go with the flow," as long
as the custom is not causing us to sin. Just as Christ became like the people He intended
to reach, even to the paying of taxes, we too are to sometimes set aside our freedom
rights, and become like the people we're trying to reach, in order to better win them to
Jesus Christ. See 1 Cor.9:19-23forafuller explanation of this principle.
Christ grants liberty to all believers. (24-26)
Insights
Sometimes Christ put this liberty on hold to prevent a misunderstanding among those He intended to save. (27a)
God will provide us the strength and means to set aside our liberty. (27b)
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, just "go along with it." The world is full of demanding and inconvenient customs, rules, and regulations. Although Christ has set us free from such customs, this freedom of ours may cost us the spiritual welfare of a loved one.
Key Memory Verse
"I have become all things to all men so that
by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I
may share in its blessings." (1 Cor 9:22-23)