For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Matt. 17
The temple tax. The temple was God’s house. God is king of all that is. This is why Jesus said, “Then the children are exempt.” (From Matt. 17:26). As followers of Jesus, we, like He, are children of God. This is why Paul so fervently taught that we are exempt, or free, from the Law. But Paul also taught that we should not let our freedom become a stumbling block for others. Indeed, this is the very example that Jesus set in this exchange regarding the temple tax. “But so that we may not cause offense…”, He said in verse 27. He then provided the tax for both Himself and Peter.
This is actually the context for Paul’s oft quoted statement, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31). He is talking about when and how we choose to exercise our freedoms in Christ. Again, we see this exemplified in Jesus’ life. He exercised His freedoms on the Sabbath to heal and help others because that glorified God far more than obeying a human command. But in this case, setting aside His own freedom by paying a tax He was not required to pay was the more God glorifying choice. May I follow Jesus’ example, emphasized and passed on through Paul’s teaching, to choose the action that glorifies God rather than satisfying myself.
Jer. 1-2
“What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me?” (From Jer. 2:4). Why do we drift away from God, or some even outright reject Him? We are without excuse, because He has shown Himself to be the One True God. He has proven time and again that there is no other like Him. He has shown Himself to be good and revealed what lies outside his presence. There is no fault in Him. Yet still we turn away. I do it from time to time myself, but I still don’t get it.
This truth only serves to impress upon me the importance of remembering who God is. I need to stay in His truth, seek His wisdom, and not let myself forget. I need to live intentionally. God provides everything we need to draw near to Him and place our trust in Him alone. But we need to humbly accept His provision every single day. Because the truth is that there is nothing else worthy of our trust; nothing else that can help or save. “…for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not be helped by them.” (Jer. 2:36b).