Church of the Nazarene

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Mar 25 2024

03/24/24- East Rock campus: Untold Jesus Stories: Carrying the Cross – Pastor Jared Link

https://www.cotnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240324ER.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 32:59 | Recorded on March 25, 2024

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn

https://www.bible.com/events/49231419

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- Carrying the Cross

Simon carried your cross, and mine.

Today we conclude our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will have been looking into stories that are not literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series has simply focused on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Luke 23:23-27

Luke 23:23-27

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

Jesus, so weary from the beating he has received that he cannot continue to bear the weight of his cross. The Roman guards needing to get this show on the road, grab Simon and demand that he carries the cross for Jesus.

Simon came to the Passover with his family to remember when God delivered the Children of Israel from the death grip of the Egyptian empire and their bondage there. But the story Simon found himself thrust into was different.

This was a new kind of redemption, a new kind of deliverance. This is the story of Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world.

Here’s the question: What does Simon the Cyrene have to do with you? With me?

Luke 23:1-6

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.

By the time Simon enters the story, Jesus has already been tried and sentenced to death.

The Jewish leaders didn’t have the authority to put Jesus to death, they would need to enlist the help of their otherwise hated enemy- The Romans.

After facing a mock trial before Herod, Jesus appears again before Pilate and his accusers.

Luke 23:13-24

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

The guilty gone free, and the innocent condemned to death. That’s the story of Jesus. That’s our story.

And it’s this story that Simon of Cyrene is thrust into.

Luke 23:26

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

We don’t know a lot about Simon even though his story appears in 3 of the 4 gospel accounts.

By Cyrene, it means that he’s from an area of Northern Africa known by that name.

The gospel of Mark records that he is father to Alexander and Rufus, and he has come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover Festival.

Simon disappears from the story as the crucifixion continues. Jesus is crucified between two criminals.

I think it’s safe to say, this procession, this moment specifically never faded from Simons memory.

In a very real sense, in the days ahead the parade that Simon of Cyrene witnessed will pass before us. No one will force you into the story like the soldiers did to Simon. No, we must choose to get into the story.

We must choose to take up our cross and follow after Christ

Jesus never hid the true cost of discipleship. To join Christ, is to die to ourselves. To surrender our hearts, our desires, our attitudes to him. It is giving Jesus all authority in our lives. And unlike Simon of Cyrene- nobody will ever force you to bear that cross.

You must accept the call of Christ. You have to choose to follow after him. It’s the only way that truly leads to life.

The cross the Simon carried, was my cross, and it was yours. Jesus bore the penalty of sin for you and for me. Now he calls us, to bear our cross. Not that we literally die for our sins, no, that work has been done. But we are invited to lay down our right to ourselves, our self sovereignty, essentially all that we are- lay that down and follow Christ.

That’s the call.

Will you join Simon in bearing your cross, following after Jesus?

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Written by

Mar 19 2024

03/17/24- Untold Jesus Stories: The Secret Trip to Town – Pastor Billy Logan

https://www.cotnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240317H.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 39:41 | Recorded on March 19, 2024

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn

https://www.bible.com/events/49228310

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Secret Trip to Town

God’s timing is everything.

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 7:1-13

John 7:1-13

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Before we dive into chapter 7, we need to catch up to what’s happening in John’s gospel to get a clearer picture of the tension in the background of our teaching text.

Back in chapter 5, Jesus is at Jerusalem and heals a paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda. This was awesome, except that the religious leaders thought his timing was off, because he performed this miracle on the sabbath- a strict day of rest in their opinion.

This conflict grows to the point that in verse 16 we read that the Jewish leaders sought to Kill Jesus…

Chapter 6 records several miracles that Jesus did, and it also records a growing movement of rejection among the people, culminating in one of the most profoundly sad verses of scripture, verse 66, says: from this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

As we come into chapter 7 and 8, what has been a growing undercurrent of rejection is about to the boiling point, and Jesus knows it.

John 7:1-5

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

About 6 months has passes since the sabbath incident of Chapter 5, but as the time has passed, the tension had not. Jesus chose to stay away from Jerusalem, he knew there could be no more casual visits to the capital city.

Jesus’ brothers are basically daring him to go up to Jerusalem during one of the largest festivals of the year and do some of the mighty miracles he’s been doing in Galilee. They wanted him to go and prove something.

“Go on Jesus- we dare ya.”

But the underlying problem is revealed in verse 5- Jesus’ brothers didn’t really believe Jesus was the Messiah.

John 7:6-9

Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

Being double dog dared by his brothers didn’t bother Jesus. He wouldn’t be moved out of alignment with His fathers will at the insistence of anyone.

John 7:10

However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Skeptics have used this small and obscure passage in an attempt to discredit Jesus by saying that he lied to his brothers. But there’s more to this story.

In Jesus answer to his brothers, he didn’t say he wasn’t ever going to the festival- he said he wasn’t going in their timing and in their way.

His brothers had a plan at best for popularity, at worst for his shaming. Either way, Jesus wasn’t going along with it.

His life is firmly ordered by the will of the Father. No pressure, taunting, or double dog daring was going to force his hand.

John 7:11-13

Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Jesus went to the festival undercover, but he would not remain that way. About halfway through the feast Jesus began to teach in the temple.

This created quite a controversy. It’s that controversy that largely makes up the remainder of Chapters 7 and 8 culminating a life-or-death confrontation in verse 59. At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

The hour had not yet come for Jesus to be handed over to the Jewish leaders. This wasn’t Gods timing.

Just a few months later, Jesus would make the journey up to Jerusalem again. Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry, marks this final approach for Jesus. The hour had come.

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he said “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. And from the cross, Jesus declared “It is finished.” Jesus literally lived and died by the Fathers perfect timing.

Friends, do you trust Gods timing like that? Are you willing to wait until Gods timing is fulfilled before you take the next step? Even when its hard?

That’s what it is to follow after Jesus- to trust him with everything, especially the timing of our lives.

Today, what would it look like or you to set your life to the time of the Heavenly Father?

His timing is always perfect.

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Written by

Mar 18 2024

03/17/24 – East Rock campus: Untold Jesus Stories – The Secret Trip to Town – Pastor Jared Link

https://www.cotnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240317ER.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 36:25 | Recorded on March 18, 2024

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn

Fri 3/15/2024 9:31 AM

https://www.bible.com/events/49228310

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Secret Trip to Town

God’s timing is everything.

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 7:1-13

John 7:1-13

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Before we dive into chapter 7, we need to catch up to what’s happening in John’s gospel to get a clearer picture of the tension in the background of our teaching text.

Back in chapter 5, Jesus is at Jerusalem and heals a paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda. This was awesome, except that the religious leaders thought his timing was off, because he performed this miracle on the sabbath- a strict day of rest in their opinion.

This conflict grows to the point that in verse 16 we read that the Jewish leaders sought to Kill Jesus…

Chapter 6 records several miracles that Jesus did, and it also records a growing movement of rejection among the people, culminating in one of the most profoundly sad verses of scripture, verse 66, says: from this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

As we come into chapter 7 and 8, what has been a growing undercurrent of rejection is about to the boiling point, and Jesus knows it.

John 7:1-5

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

About 6 months has passes since the sabbath incident of Chapter 5, but as the time has passed, the tension had not. Jesus chose to stay away from Jerusalem, he knew there could be no more casual visits to the capital city.

Jesus’ brothers are basically daring him to go up to Jerusalem during one of the largest festivals of the year and do some of the mighty miracles he’s been doing in Galilee. They wanted him to go and prove something.

“Go on Jesus- we dare ya.”

But the underlying problem is revealed in verse 5- Jesus’ brothers didn’t really believe Jesus was the Messiah.

John 7:6-9

Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

Being double dog dared by his brothers didn’t bother Jesus. He wouldn’t be moved out of alignment with His fathers will at the insistence of anyone.

John 7:10

However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Skeptics have used this small and obscure passage in an attempt to discredit Jesus by saying that he lied to his brothers. But there’s more to this story.

In Jesus answer to his brothers, he didn’t say he wasn’t ever going to the festival- he said he wasn’t going in their timing and in their way.

His brothers had a plan at best for popularity, at worst for his shaming. Either way, Jesus wasn’t going along with it.

His life is firmly ordered by the will of the Father. No pressure, taunting, or double dog daring was going to force his hand.

John 7:11-13

Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Jesus went to the festival undercover, but he would not remain that way. About halfway through the feast Jesus began to teach in the temple.

This created quite a controversy. It’s that controversy that largely makes up the remainder of Chapters 7 and 8 culminating a life-or-death confrontation in verse 59. At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

The hour had not yet come for Jesus to be handed over to the Jewish leaders. This wasn’t Gods timing.

Just a few months later, Jesus would make the journey up to Jerusalem again. Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry, marks this final approach for Jesus. The hour had come.

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he said “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. And from the cross, Jesus declared “It is finished.” Jesus literally lived and died by the Fathers perfect timing.

Friends, do you trust Gods timing like that? Are you willing to wait until Gods timing is fulfilled before you take the next step? Even when its hard?

That’s what it is to follow after Jesus- to trust him with everything, especially the timing of our lives.

Today, what would it look like or you to set your life to the time of the Heavenly Father?

His timing is always perfect.

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Written by

Mar 12 2024

03/10/24- Harrisonburg campus: Untold Jesus Stories: The Rich Fish – Pastor Adrian Mills

https://www.cotnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240310H.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 35:27 | Recorded on March 12, 2024

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn

http://bible.com/events/49224452

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Rich Fish

From the coin to the cross, God always provides.

Today we begin a new teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Matthew 17:24-27.

Matthew 17:24-27

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.”

What in the world is the ‘temple tax’?

At the annual census, every Jewish male over the age of 20 was instructed to give a 2 drachma offering in order to support the temple.

Jesus is making a very practical point here. If the temple tax is to support the temple, and the temple represented God’s house, then Jesus reminds Peter that He himself has no obligation to pay the tax. Thus Jesus says, “the children are exempt.”

Jesus wants to make it clear to Peter that He doesn’t have to do this.

“But so that we may not cause offense”

Jesus responds not because he has to, but because his heart is to not cause offense.

“Of course Jesus didn’t have to pay the Temple Tax – He didn’t have to do anything but the will of His father. But he paid it anyway, being sure to pay it in a way that made clear that He was indeed the Son of God.”

-Jesus Bible

Throughout this series, we will seek to ask, “what does this story mean to us today?”

In order to understand the specific meaning of this story, we have to go back to the purpose of the ‘temple tax’ in the Old Testament.

Exodus 30:13-14, 16

Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

This idea of a ‘tax’ was originally instituted as a reminder to the people of the atonement for their lives.

God had rescued them from slavery and offered them redemption and hope. Every year, when they gave this specific money, it was a reminder of atonement.

Back in Matthew 17, we can consider the implications of what Jesus is saying in a new light: “‘the children are exempt”.

There is a remarkable foreshadowing occurring as He makes that statement and then pays the tax, yes the amount that is owed for him, but also that which Peter owes.

Jesus pays the ransom for Peter here, quite literally. And so too there is a moment coming in the very near future when Jesus would pay the ultimate ransom for all.

Do you believe that God always provides?

The Bottom Line:

From the coin to the cross, God always provides.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Written by

Mar 11 2024

03/10/24- East Rock campus: Untold Jesus Stories: The Rich Fish – Pastor Jared Link

https://www.cotnaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240310ER.mp3

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 31:23 | Recorded on March 11, 2024

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn

https://www.bible.com/events/49224585

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Rich Fish

This is no ordinary fishing excursion. This is a miracle of God’s provision

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Matthew 17:24-27

Matthew 17:24-27

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.”

Chapter 17 begins with the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up onto the mountain and Jesus’ appearance is literally transfigured right before their eyes.

After they come down from this mountaintop experience, they encounter a demon possessed boy- and Jesus miraculously heals him.

As chapter 17 unfolds, the cross is in view.

Matthew 17:24

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?”

The Tax in question was a religious tax collected from the people for the upkeep of the temple. It stems all the way back to the time of Moses in the book of Exodus.

Without thinking much about his answer, Peter affirms that Jesus would in fact pay that tax.

Matthew 17:25-26

“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.

The temple was His father’s House, as the son- He was exempt from paying the tax.

Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah of his people, was absolutely free from the duty of paying the temple tax and all those who followed him shared in that exemption. But Peter already said they would pay, right? So, what now?

Matthew 17:27

“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.”

Scholars believe that the coin spit out by the fish as a Roman Stater. That means that that single coin was worth enough to pay for two peoples temple tax. In this miracle, Jesus provides for himself, AND for Peter.

This gives a prophetic and pointed picture that very soon on the cross Jesus would the ultimate price that His children could go free. But for now, this coin will do.

Jesus sets all of this in motion, miraculously puts a coin in a fishes mouth, will put the fish on Peter’s hook, sends this rough and tuff seaworthy guy to do the work- all to pay a tax they didn’t really owe.

Jesus is willing to do all of this miraculous work, he’s willing to send Peter out to the lake to do it- all so that they won’t cause an offense to the Jewish temple leaders.

The Greek word used here in verse 27 for “cause offense” is “skandalizo”. It carries the idea of offending someone or causing them to stumble. To put a snare or a trap in someone’s way. It can also mean to entice someone to sin or to fall away

To be sure, there were plenty of times that Jesus in declaring the truth about who he was as the Son of God, offended lots of religious leaders.

But that was over a foundational truth of his identity and mission. This tax was not worth it. His kingdom work was far more valuable in these moments than a silly coin.

What does that say about how WE should live our lives?

If Jesus was willing to do the miraculous, should we at least be willing to do the ordinary not to cause offense?

As we conclude today, I want to focus on the area of God’s provision.

We see Jesus’ power and ability to do things we cannot conceive or imagine to provide for his children.

Friends, just like our teaching text, God still provides miraculously for his people.

Will you seek him for the provision you need in your life today?

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

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