Matthew 17:24-27
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Matthew 17:24-27 noting any questions that arise.
Jesus isn’t mind-reading in this story. In John’s Gospel Jesus repeatedly says that he listens to God the Father and speaks as God directs (e.g. John 5:30, John 12:49), so we can safely assume that when Jesus preempts Peter’s question he is simply receiving insight from God. And when Jesus chooses not to confront the temple tax collectors, we can also believe that he was directed by God in that decision.
Take a moment to assess your own ability to recognize when God is speaking to you. Have you grown in your ability to recognize God’s voice over the past few months or years? Share your thoughts and desires about this with Jesus.
Read Matthew 17:24-27 again with all of this in mind.
Most scholars believe that the “temple tax” was a voluntary but expected form of tribute due from first century Jewish men to cover the costs of maintaining the temple, and there are varying scholarly opinions on whether priests and rabbis were exempt from this tax.
But if anyone was exempt, it was Jesus.
The temple was a place where God’s people went to encounter God’s presence, but when Jesus came to earth, God’s presence walked among humanity in Jesus’ physical body. To be in the presence of God all a person had to do was be near Jesus. In essence, Jesus was the temple.
Pulling a coin from the mouth of a fish may seem like a strange element for this story, but for Peter, who would go on to play a major role in the establishment of Jesus’ community of followers on earth, it was a valuable lesson. The “ecclesia,” or “Church,” fueled, led, and provided for by the Spirit of Jesus would soon become the presence of God to a lost and hurting world.
For the last minutes of this time of meditation, get still and recognize the presence of Jesus with you. Imagine Jesus speaking to you and reassuring you that he is with you.
When you are ready, think about your own desire or lack of desire to spread the presence of Jesus to the people you encounter each day. Share openly and honestly with Jesus about this and then return to silence.
Is there anything Jesus might be inviting you to do as a result of this time of meditation?
How will you respond?
Subscribe here to receive these guided meditations free by email Monday-Friday each week. If you find these meditations helpful, please forward them to a couple of friends.
The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
