Son of king

Friday 28 May 2021

Son of king

When he (Peter) entered the house, Jesus took the lead and said : What do you think Simon ? The kings of the earth, from whom do they collect taxes or levies ? From their sons or from strangers ? He said to him : Strangers. Jesus answered and said unto him: Sons are therefore exempt from it. Matthew 17:25, 26

To strengthen the faith of three of his disciples, Jesus appeared to them in his magnificent glory in the company of Moses and Elijah. Like his two companions, Peter hears the voice that comes from heaven : This is my beloved Son... (Matthew 17: 5). Shortly after, a circumstance comes to highlight the difficulty for Peter to draw the consequences of such a declaration : a tax collector asks him if Jesus pays the tax collected for the maintenance of the temple. Of course, answers Peter, eager to prove that his master is a good Jew.

The Lord, without having witnessed the scene, knows Peter's answer and, through the question which is the subject of today's verse, he continues the education of his dear disciple. He made him understand that being the Son of God, the one to whom belongs the kingship promised to the son of David, he should have been exempted from the tax.

But the time to rule has not yet come. That’s why he agrees to pay the requested tax. However, he still uses this opportunity to concretely show Peter that he is sovereign over everything : in the mouth of the first fish he catches, he will find a coin sufficient for both of them. In his grace, he associates himself with his disciple : this money is for me and for you, implied, you too are a son of king.

Today we have been associated with Jesus Christ in his death and in his resurrection ; he is not ashamed to call us his brothers. We have the dignity of the son of a king, let us behave as such. Soon we will also be associated with him in his glory.

In the meantime, let us remember that his power is as great today as when he commanded a fish to bring the money he needed. Let’s imitate Peter’s faith : he did not argue to obey and cast his line into the sea. We have promises from God in Jesus Christ. Let us look at them with faith, let us stand up to act and receive these promised blessings.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)