Does Jesus Pay HIs Taxes?

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The Temple Tax - 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?”
25 “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?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.  “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 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.”
This is an interesting story that is not written about very much.  It was about a month before the Passover feast when a tax of 2 drachma could be paid as a temple tax.  Technically Jesus did not have to pay this tax as a rabbi.  More specifically when Jesus uses the example of the king's children not paying taxes, he is referring to himself as a child of the King.  
Instead of setting a bad example and not honoring the laws, Jesus instead tells Peter to throw his fishing line in the water.  Peter usually caught fish in a net, so this is even greater evidence to Peter of this miracle.  Jesus then tells Peter that when he catches this fish their will be a 4 drachma coin in the fish's mouth.  With this he could pay for Peter and Jesus' temple tax.  
Jesus shows us today that part of being a good example as his follower is obeying the laws of the land.  Nobody likes paying taxes and yet it our duty to do it.  Christians may complain about the government. but that doesn't exempt them from paying their taxes.  Jesus even had a legitimate reason to not pay his taxes, but he gave up this right and paid double.  What a great example to Peter and to us.  
The next time you feel like cheating on your taxes or any other bill remember this story about Jesus.  The law was 2 drachma and he paid double to quiet his accusers.  Jesus didn't want anything to get in the way of these people hearing the gospel from him.  As we preach the gospel may nothing in our lives take away from its power.  

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