Loving Correction

Scripture:
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied.
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. “But so that we may not cause offense, 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.”
Matthew 17:24-27

Observation: Jesus doesn't "throw Peter under the bus." There is a lesson being taught here about the temple tax, and whether or not Jesus as the Son of God actually needs to pay taxes to God. However, Jesus doesn't scold Peter, and he doesn't isolate Peter with the problem of paying two drachma. Instead, he miraculously produces FOUR drachma ... enough to pay for BOTH of them.

Application: There are plenty of times Jesus chides the disciples - telling them they have too little faith, that they don't understand, that they embrace worldly ideals, etc. But here, Jesus chooses to teach Peter by joining with him. He doesn't even directly say that he shouldn't pay the temple tax. Instead, he follows three steps:

1) He teaches Peter how to THINK about the question. The question was a trick, and Jesus shows him that ... Peter should have questioned the underlying premise. In the proper context - Jesus is the Son of God - the question of paying the temple tax takes on an entirely different dynamic.

2) He teaches Peter about being redeemed for mistakes through faith. Instead of dwelling on the mistake, correct it through an act of faith and obedience ... go catch a fish, which will have a coin in its mouth! That's a long shot, but when Peter does it, that's just like asking for forgiveness because he have placed his full faith in Jesus.

3) He blesses Peter out of this conundrum. If Jesus owes a temple tax, certainly Peter does too! So Jesus is going to provide the money for him as well.

This is a biblical example of how to join with a fellow Christian who is slightly off in their understanding. First, relate their mistake to a definitive biblical truth. Then, allow them to demonstrate faith as they align to that truth. And throughout, join with them to lift them up.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this example and insight. I find this very interesting, and good information about how to love my fellow believers. I welcome the chance to 'love one another' following your perfect model. Amen.