1. GOD’S MISSION IN MATTHEW 4 TH S UNDAY OF L ENT W ALKING WITH J ESUS TO THE C ROSS M ATTHEW 17:24-27 Unique to Matthew Follows Jesus’ prediction of death/rez Precedes teaching on humility like little children GOD’S MISSION IN MATTHEW 4 TH S UNDAY OF L ENT W ALKING WITH J ESUS TO THE C ROSS M ATTHEW 17:24-27 Unique to Matthew Follows Jesus’ prediction of death/rez Precedes teaching on humility like little children

2. M ATTHEW 17 (NIV) 24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two- drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" 25 "Yes, he does," he replied. M ATTHEW 17 (NIV) 24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two- drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" 25 "Yes, he does," he replied.

3. Temple tax = Two-drachma tax (1/2 shekel) religious, not civil religious, not civil Exodus 30:11-16 Exodus 30:11-16 Ransom Ransom Census – 20 years & older Census – 20 years & older Rich & poor the same Rich & poor the same Purify/atone for lives Purify/atone for lives Pay for Tabernacle Pay for Tabernacle Temple tax = Two-drachma tax (1/2 shekel) religious, not civil religious, not civil Exodus 30:11-16 Exodus 30:11-16 Ransom Ransom Census – 20 years & older Census – 20 years & older Rich & poor the same Rich & poor the same Purify/atone for lives Purify/atone for lives Pay for Tabernacle Pay for Tabernacle

4. 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 sons or from others?" 26 "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 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 sons or from others?" 26 "From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him.

5. Jesus uses the analogy of human kings. Kings collect taxes from their subjects, not their children, who are “exempt” Kings collect taxes from their subjects, not their children, who are “exempt” By analogy, Jesus, God’s Son, is exempt from God’s tax. By analogy, Jesus, God’s Son, is exempt from God’s tax. Ruins a perfectly good passage to teach on tithes and offerings! Ruins a perfectly good passage to teach on tithes and offerings! Jesus already pure – new Temple Jesus already pure – new Temple Jesus uses the analogy of human kings. Kings collect taxes from their subjects, not their children, who are “exempt” Kings collect taxes from their subjects, not their children, who are “exempt” By analogy, Jesus, God’s Son, is exempt from God’s tax. By analogy, Jesus, God’s Son, is exempt from God’s tax. Ruins a perfectly good passage to teach on tithes and offerings! Ruins a perfectly good passage to teach on tithes and offerings! Jesus already pure – new Temple Jesus already pure – new Temple

6. 27 "But so that we may not offend them, 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."

7. Why is Jesus worried about offending? Why does Jesus send Peter fishing? Why does Jesus pay Peter’s tax? Why is Jesus worried about offending? Why does Jesus send Peter fishing? Why does Jesus pay Peter’s tax?

8. Why is Jesus worried about offending? Humility – cf., ch. 18 Not revolution or civil disobedience Focus is restoration Why is Jesus worried about offending? Humility – cf., ch. 18 Not revolution or civil disobedience Focus is restoration

9. Jesus is the new Temple Not replacement but fulfillment For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Col 1:19-20 Dangers of eschatology that focuses on physical temple Jesus is the new Temple Not replacement but fulfillment For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Col 1:19-20 Dangers of eschatology that focuses on physical temple

10. Why does Jesus send Peter fishing? Could’ve asked Judas for the money bag Peter is given a small sign of the kingdom (PROVISION) Confirms resurrection will occur Common way for God to give confirmation Signs God gives us (daffodils) Natural explanation does not exclude God E.g., Communion Why does Jesus send Peter fishing? Could’ve asked Judas for the money bag Peter is given a small sign of the kingdom (PROVISION) Confirms resurrection will occur Common way for God to give confirmation Signs God gives us (daffodils) Natural explanation does not exclude God E.g., Communion

11. Why does Jesus pay Peter’s tax? No two drachma coin – only four (e.g., 50¢) Normally two men shared payment Foreshadows our participation in Christ “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” 28:20 Why does Jesus pay Peter’s tax? No two drachma coin – only four (e.g., 50¢) Normally two men shared payment Foreshadows our participation in Christ “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” 28:20

12. Ephesians 2 (NLT) – Living in our baptism 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2 (NLT) – Living in our baptism 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.