Christ's Ambassadors

There are many things that get us off track, but the good thing is that God is always there to lead you back.  

Note: The last Good News in Matthew was February 16th (just realized exactly a month ago) on Jesus speaking of his resurrection.

 

PRAYER: LORD we are waiting on a Word from You.  We want and need Your guidance.  Thank You for calling us to prepare for a visitation from You.  A holy, exciting and purposeful visitation from You.  It's so special and amazing to be called by the Great Almighty and Only God.  Speak to us LORD, let Your Will be done on this earth as it is in Heaven.  Use us LORD!   Direct our prayers to be more purposeful and according to Your Will and not just request for our needs. Hallelujah!  You are so close.  Thank You for loving us LORD, loving us so much that even though we make mistakes, we can come to You for forgiveness.  No questions asked, just pure forgiveness and a change of heart.  To live our life in purpose that honors and worships You.  We trust You LORD, and where we are lacking in trust, show us.  This is the time!  There is no better time than NOW for each of us to come correct.  In the name of Jesus, amen.

MATTHEW 17: 23-28

THE TEMPLE TAX: 

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma 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 (a.k.a. Peter)?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes--from their own sons or from others?"

"From others," Peter answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. "But so that we may not offend them, 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."

In this time, all Jewish males had to pay a Temple tax to support the service of the Temple (Exodus 30:11-16).  When Peter was asked this question by the tax collectors-Peter, as usual, answered the question without really knowing the answer, putting Jesus and the disciples in an awkward position.  We all get put in this situation.  Speaking way too quickly before we think.  It is ok to say "I don't know" instead of lying, even unintentionally.  Jesus used this situation, however, to emphasize His kingly role.  Just as kings pay no taxes and collect none from their family, Jesus, the King, owed no taxes.  But Jesus supplied the tax payment for both Himself and Peter rather than offend those who didn't understand His Kingship.  Although Jesus supplied the tax money, Peter had to go and get it.  Ultimately all that we have comes to us from God's supply, but He wants us to be active in the process.  Please understand, waiting on the LORD, does not mean to do nothing.  Your prayer life should be active, you should be living in full obedience, the Word should be your guide, your life and mind should be on God-not yourself.  And in this He will lead you to where you need to be.  But if you're concentrating only on yourself, waiting to hear this BIG voice from heaven.  You will be waiting for a long time.

As God's people, we are foreigners on earth because our loyalty is (or should be) always to our real King-Jesus.  Still we have to cooperate with the authorities and be responsible citizens.  An ambassador to another country keeps the local laws in order to represent well the one who sent him.  We are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20).  Are you being a good foreign ambassador for Him to this world?

If you don't consider yourself a foreigner, if you look and act exactly like the people who don't know Jesus or don't serve God; You are way too comfortable with sin and NEED to check your relationship with God.  Now is the time to do it.  You can't get all of your sinning out of the way and then come to God.  He wants YOU now!  Just the way you are with a heart full of repentance (heart of change).  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." John the Baptist.