The US is in a partial government shutdown and hours away from a budget deadline that requires approval from both the Senate and House of Representatives. The media has kept the public well informed of the deadlock between Democrats and Republicans which blame each other. If Jesus were physically present at the capital and if people sought Him out for a solution, what would Jesus do?
The Bible records questions people had about Jesus, the government, and religious taxes. Whenever people asked for Jesus’ sound byte about the government, Jesus reminded them that His kingdom is a better kingdom than any rule or government on the earth.
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus would counsel the US today to honor our debts, to spend only what we have the ability to repay and to be the lender instead of a borrower. Then Jesus would remind us that His rule and reign is perfect, powerful, and completely just.
The Bible records questions people had about Jesus, the government, and religious taxes. Whenever people asked for Jesus’ sound byte about the government, Jesus reminded them that His kingdom is a better kingdom than any rule or government on the earth.
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Jesus would counsel the US today to honor our debts, to spend only what we have the ability to repay and to be the lender instead of a borrower. Then Jesus would remind us that His rule and reign is perfect, powerful, and completely just.
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