Matthew 17
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
When the people came around collecting the temple tax, Peter insisted that Jesus would be one of those who would also be paying. I am sure he thought he was right until Jesus had a quiet word with 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 children or from others?’
‘From others,’ Peter answered.
‘Then the children are exempt,’ Jesus said to him.” (Matthew 17 v 25 – 26).
Peter had a lesson to learn. The temple was God’s house. Jesus was the Son of God. Being the Son of God, Jesus was then free of paying the tax for the house of God.
Then came another lesson. Jesus continued, “But so that we may not cause offence, 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.” (v 27). Jesus didn’t have to pay the temple tax because he was the Son of God – and with the four-drachma coin he exempted Peter as well. Peter was also a son of God. What a wonderful lesson! Peter’s relationship with God was a much closer relationship than he ever imagined!
How close is our relationship with God? Are we also his sons and daughters?
May our love and trust in God continue to grow this week.
With love in our Lord,
Robert
New on the Thinky Things website this week:
Sharon’s Segment – Words That Acquit
Our daughter has been travelling quite a bit recently. This has given her the opportunity to stay with a number of different families. I felt so encouraged by her comment of what she had noticed about one of the families she had stayed with. Over the four days she was staying with them, she was … read more at https://thinkythings.com/sharon/
Interview with Robert Prins
Robert Prins was interviewed about Thinky Things for the Newcastle Conference. In this 15-minute interview with Matt Teal, they discuss the beginnings of Thinky Things, the impact that it has had, and what plans are in the pipeline. Watch it at https://thinkythings.com/
The Christadelphian Pre-Marriage Discussion Course
The Christadelphian Pre-Marriage Discussion Course by the Australian Christadelphian Committee and NSW Christadelphian Support Service is now available in New Zealand from Thinky Things.
This is an easy to read, biblical and practical workbook for couples who are thinking about marriage. It is an excellent resource for marriage celebrants leading couples through toward the rest of their lives together, and especially for the couples themselves. It contains instruction and worksheets on God’s plan for marriage, getting to know yourself and each other, roles, expectations, communication, conflict, intimacy, finances, leisure, relationships and the marriage vows.
Highly recommended. A must do for every young couple preparing for marriage, and a must have for all celebrants preparing couples for marriage.
A4 Wire Bound Format, 100 pages.
Cost NZ$20.00 plus postage.
Resisting the Devil Audio Book
If you are anything like me, you will know that overcoming temptation and sin can be a real struggle. That’s why I wrote Resisting the Devil.
It’s been over five years since Resisting the Devil was published and in that time many of you have read it. But it’s probably time for a refresher. So get yourself a copy of the audio book, read by Robert Prins. You can find it at https://www.booktopia.com.au/resisting-the-devil-robert-prins/audiobook/9798868750908.html and then you can listen to it any time!
You can also find the book, e-book and audio-book at https://thinkythings.com/purchase/
Thinky Things Archives
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