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From Heaven With Love
the false conception to which the priests and rulers were trying to
give currency.
When Peter entered the house, the Saviour made no reference
to what had taken place, but inquired, “What thinkest thou, Simon?
of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their
own children, or of strangers?” Peter answered, “Of strangers.” And
Jesus said, “Then are the children free.” While the people are taxed
for the maintenance of their king, the monarch’s own children are
exempt. So Israel, the people of God, were required to maintain His
service; but Jesus, the Son of God, was under no such obligation.
If Jesus had paid the tribute without a protest, He would virtually
have acknowledged the justice of the claim and thus denied His
divinity. But He denied the claim on which it was based. In providing
for the payment, He gave evidence of His divine character, and
therefore was not under tribute as a mere subject of the kingdom.
“Go thou to the sea,” He directed Peter, “and cast an hook, and
take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his
mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto
them for Me and thee.”
While Jesus made it plain that He was under no obligation to pay
the tribute, He entered into no controversy in regard to the matter.
Lest He should give offense by withholding the tribute, He did that
which He could not justly be required to do. This lesson would be
of great value to His disciples. They were not to place themselves
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needlessly in antagonism to established order. Christians are not to
sacrifice one principle of truth, but they should avoid controversy
whenever possible. While Peter was gone to the sea, Jesus called
the other disciples to Him, and asked, “What was it that ye disputed
among yourselves by the way?” Shame and self-condemnation kept
them silent. Jesus had told them that He was to die for their sake,
and their selfish ambition was in painful contrast to His unselfish
love. But although He had spoken so plainly of what awaited Him,
His mention of the fact that He was soon to go to Jerusalem again
kindled their hope that the kingdom was about to be set up. This had
led to questioning as to who should fill the highest offices. At last
one ventured to ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?”