Taxes? Fishing? What? (Matthew 17 - P 44)

Read Matthew 17: 22 - 27

We close chapter 17 with a very interesting story.  Is it a story about taxes?  Or is it a story about fishing?  Commentators disagree on whether or not Jesus was speaking literally or figuratively.  I think the disagreement comes from the fact that we do not know whether or not Peter went and picked up his fishing net!   Our verses end with Jesus' words instead of a description of Peter's action following the conversation.

Those who do not interpret this as a literal fish with a literal coin in its mouth do not consider the encounter as insignificant.  They believe that Jesus is telling Peter to work at fishing a day ... that would provide the money to pay the tax.  It is similar to a mechanic "finding" groceries for his family in a car's transmission.  Or a teacher "finding" her house payment in her classroom.  Also, they contend, Jesus never used his miraculous power  to make his own life easier.  He clearly demonstrated that in the temptations recorded in Matthew 4. So - Peter, go fish - we need to pay our tax.

Others contend that it was a literal fish and coin.  After all, to the Lord who could still storms and cause great catches of fish ... what's one fish?  So - Peter, go fish - we need to pay our tax.

Rather than get bogged down in a discussion of the encounter being literal or figurative ... let's continue to think application.  Are there any lessons for you and me in this story?  Some observations ...

Paying taxes is part of living in any country, under any system.  It is revenue source.  Is it always fairly distributed?  Seldom.  Is it always used for good purposes?  No.  Does it mean the payer 100% supports the current government or leadership?  No - Jesus had repeatedly denounced the religious leadership of his day.

Sometimes the duties of citizenship are unpleasant ... they must be shouldered anyway.  Followers of Jesus must not exempt themselves from good citizenship on the excuse that they are not of this particular 'kingdom'.

Listen to Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20

So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

In Eugene Peterson's "The Message", this 2 Corinthians passage reads:

God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing.  we're Christ's representatives.  God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them.  We're speaking for Christ himself now ...

An ambassador to another country keeps the local laws in order to represent the one who sent them.  We are ambassadors in the United States (or in whatever country you currently reside) representing the kingdom of God.  What kind of ambassador are you?