Avoiding Offense in Love

Megan Bryant • June 30, 2021

Summary of sermon on Matthew 17:24-27 from Pastor Ky Martin.

Jesus and the disciples have come to Capernaum. Most of them are inside the home of someone who offered them hospitality, but Peter is out. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees two men approaching. He turns to face them, and they ask him whether or not his rabbi, Jesus, will be paying the temple tax.


This was a tax that Moses instituted about 1500 years before and applied to every male over 20-years-old. 


2 Drachma = ½ Shekel = approximately $180.00 per person today. 


This was not a Roman tax. It was a Jewish tax taken for the needs of the temple. It was expected but not enforced and would be similar to the offering plate today. 


The tax collectors were not the Pharisees and were not trying to trap Jesus the way that the Pharisees did. They were likely just doing their job. 


Peter automatically says yes that they will pay the tax and goes back and tells Jesus. Jesus’ response is saying that because he is the son of God, he does not have to pay the tax, but he does pay the tax in order to not be offensive. 


Jesus is being a true participant. Up until now, Jesus has not been concerned about being offensive. We can see examples of this in Matthew 10 and 12. So, what makes this situation different? 


The audience and the situation. 


Compliance to pay the tax will do no harm and shows Jesus not wanting to offend people unnecessarily. 


Why did Jesus choose to pay the temple tax? 


To avoid offending people


Jesus paid the temple tax in order to avoid offending people. Sometimes as Christians it may be necessary to offend people but not in every case. 


We see Paul reflect on this idea in Corinthians. “But take care that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9


In this section of Corinthians, Paul is discussing making sacrifices to avoid offending people (such as not eating meat) based on their cultural practices. 


Paul is demonstrating that the relationship is more important than the practice. We can lay aside our right to avoid unnecessary offense. 


An example of this might be choosing to not drink alcohol if you do not know someone else’s feelings about alcohol consumption. 


Ultimately, how we approach a disagreement on an issue is often more important than the issue itself. We see Christians dividing over political, social issues. Is it worth it? 


An example might be having political signs or barriers in our yard or on our car. While it is okay to have an opinion, it is also worth considering that displaying our opinions in this way may create serious barriers between ourselves and other people. 


Another example might be not engaging in polarizing situations on social media. Is it worth it to divide a wedge between ourselves and others? 


Because he was one of us


In this situation, the tax collectors were asking God to pay a tax. 


Jesus laid his right aside to become one of us. God sent Jesus to fix what sin had broken. Sin was man’s problem and man had to fix it. Jesus became a man to save us - to be 100% God and 100% man. 


Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. See Hebrews 5:5-9. 


Jesus is God + being human. He became the perfect savior that we needed. 


Jesus also says the “sons” are free - meaning this includes Peter and by extension us. We are co-heirs with Christ because of the Gospel. 


“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”


— Hebrews 5:8-9

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