After they arrived in Capernaum the men collecting the two drachmas (tax) approached Peter and said: ¨Does your teacher not pay the two drachmas (tax)?¨ Matthew 17:24 (Reference Bible)
We do it all the time. We don´t even see when we are doing it. Jesus came declaring good news about a different kingdom. He showed us of a different reality where things work in ways contrary to the ways of our known universe. He labored hard to make us see and understand that there was a God that was above our mentality and our experience. Things in our world are under His control and just aren´t as we normally think they are. But we stubbornly choose to see things in our common ways of seeing them.
Jesus showed us by example how things work in His kingdom. All things are directed to God as they should be and all things flow from Him and out unto all His creation. Every minute detail in the entire universe has passed by the King for approval and somehow in His wisdom and might, He strains not, to control and direct each and all the variables.
We can find this happening throughout the Bible and especially in the stories of Jesus´ life and death. Here in Matthew 17 verses 24 through 27 we find a perfect example.
Men approach Peter for payment of taxes. It is a common thing to pay taxes and something we must do too. But Peter looked at the earthly motives and conclusions and blurted out in response, that surely Jesus would conform. Behind the situation that was unfolding for Peter, he was forgetting the fact that Jesus was the actual King and rightful ruler over the entire world.
But Peter´s infraction is forgivable and we do it too, so let´s move on to Jesus´ reaction.
When Peter walks into the room Jesus speaks first cause He always sees clearly even what we would hide from ourselves. Jesus asks us, what we think about it. Who really pays the tributes or taxes, the King very own children or others?
For sure Peter was amazed that such a small slight on his part was noticed and brought out into the open for scrutiny, as we should be also. We can sense with him that feeling creep over us as to how we are going to find a way to correct our lack of belief.
However, it was enough for Jesus to know that the lesson had been given and now He could provide a way of recovering for us. For Peter, He sent him on a mission of faith that needed a miracle to prove Gods hand is truly controlling even the most mundane of our daily activities.
For us, our reaction to our slight is crucial too. We need not hide our short-comings of faith in the greater reality, but accept our Saviors instruction instead. It may very well be that His solution for you and I may result in a test of will and a leap of faith. But with His help, we too may find miraculous results if we go far enough out on that limb where nothing else will support us but the faith that He supplies.
Dear Jesus, forgive us for looking at our world. Please do not hold against us the fact that we constantly see our familiar world instead of set our eyes and hearts on Your realm and Your kingdom. Give us the strength and perseverance to push past all that stands in our way, our nature, our tendencies towards self, and all the noisy and insistent things around us. Keep us focused on pressing on into Your very presence. Then we will be as Your children and our tribute will be unto You even though Someone has already paid it.
Amen
Searching For Christ 
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