scripture: matthew 17:22-17:27

Sermon for January 7th, 2024.

Sermon for January 7th, 2024.

Calvary Bible Chapel

Big Idea - Why doesn’t Jesus have to pay the Temple tax? The Temple was the very center of Jewish religion and worship. The tax was used for upkeep and improvements at the Temple in Jerusalem. If you were serious about God and the Temple you would be diligent in paying this tax, as all devout Jews were. But, Jesus claims He is exempt - on what grounds? Jesus is exempt from paying the tax because He is God's Son, so He is the owner, the landlord of the Temple. As such, Jesus is greater than the Temple because He is equal to God, and the very one who is the rightful object of Temple worship. But even more than that, Jesus is the new Temple - it is in Him that our sin is atoned, and through Him that we now have access to the very presence of God. Not only that, but He is making us into a living Temple, individually and collectively as the Church. God dwells in us by His Spirit and our bodies are now a Holy Temple where God's presence dwells. Even though Jesus doesn’t have to pay the Temple tax, in the end, He does which shows us His attitude of grace and humility, He waves His rights in order to not cause others to be offended. This is a great example for us to follow that we do not always need to claim or rights, but in humility, we can lay down our rights to love and serve others for the sake of the Gospel.

Big Idea - Why doesn’t Jesus have to pay the Temple tax? The Temple was the very center of Jewish religion and worship. The tax was used for upkeep and improvements at the Temple in Jerusalem. If you were serious about God and the Temple you would be diligent in paying this tax, as all devout Jews were. But, Jesus claims He is exempt - on what grounds? Jesus is exempt from paying the tax because He is God's Son, so He is the owner, the landlord of the Temple. As such, Jesus is greater than the Temple because He is equal to God, and the very one who is the rightful object of Temple worship. But even more than that, Jesus is the new Temple - it is in Him that our sin is atoned, and through Him that we now have access to the very presence of God. Not only that, but He is making us into a living Temple, individually and collectively as the Church. God dwells in us by His Spirit and our bodies are now a Holy Temple where God's presence dwells. Even though Jesus doesn’t have to pay the Temple tax, in the end, He does which shows us His attitude of grace and humility, He waves His rights in order to not cause others to be offended. This is a great example for us to follow that we do not always need to claim or rights, but in humility, we can lay down our rights to love and serve others for the sake of the Gospel.