The tax collectors and critics had cornered Peter to discover whether Jesus paid the Temple tax. Peter answered quickly with just one word before escaping into the house.
He never had a chance to speak to Jesus and tell Him of the incident before Jesus turned to Peter and asked him what he thought of paying taxes. It is a familiar situation to many of us when one is asked an awkward question, and the briefest answer is given before getting away. Then, partly because of the awkwardness of that moment, we want to share it with someone who understands, but we don’t get a chance to because life is so busy. But He, the Lord of all who knows all, didn’t need to wait for the right moment to speak to Peter. He knew what His enemies were saying without hearing their words, and He would have known how awkward it would have been for Peter. Not only does He clarify the position, He resolves it. In a moment, and by miraculous means, He provides the necessary amount to pay the Temple tax. But the part I like in this story is the fact that Peter was the one assailed by the enemies of Christ, and he is the one who is rewarded. Not only did he catch the fish with the coin in its mouth, which was a miracle, but Christ stood with Peter and paid the tax for both of them. Christ treated him like a brother and friend, standing with him against their enemies. It reminds us of the verse: ‘but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 NLT In this instance, blessed was Peter, for to him belonged the friendship of Christ.
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“You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:23 NLT14/7/2024 These words were said to Peter shortly after he had declared that Christ was the Messiah. He had got it very right, and now he had got it very wrong.
How quickly we slip back into the natural after we have understood the spiritual. We only need to look at the church structure today to see how it is formed of spiritual and natural traditions. There is safety in structure and organisation, but spiritual things don’t work that way. They refuse to be structured and organised. We read: “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 NLT Nicodemus, a well-respected Jewish teacher, asked, “How are these things possible?” John 3:9 NLT Man cannot understand the moving of the Spirit of God. We can only observe from a human point of view. The Spirit of God will not be contained within any church or denomination. He is free to move at will. The first insight we have into the real spiritual world is given to us by the Holy Spirit. We are born again by the Spirit. “The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” John 3:6 NLT We should not revert to the natural order of things. “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.” Galatians 5:7 NLT Peter had been running so well. He had understood that the Lord Jesus was the Messiah; the Father had revealed that to him. Jesus had declared that he was blessed! And now, he was looking at things merely from a human point of view. Why? Because he was trying to keep them all safe, especially Jesus. He didn’t want Jesus to go to Jerusalem because he could see it was dangerous. His kindness and forward-thinking had got in the way of his spiritual insight. It is a lesson for us all. We may have a divine revelation at some point and think we’ve got it sussed, but how easy it is to revert to the natural, safe way, especially in today’s culture of getting everything just right. We must learn to be spiritual creatures and be “as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NLT Jeremiah and his faithful scribe Baruch had delivered the Lord's message despite the King's opposition. Jeremiah was already in trouble and had been imprisoned in the royal courtyard. However, nothing stopped him from doing what he was called to do and deliver the word of God. The King sent his men to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch:
“But the Lord had hidden them.” Knowing that when we are in dangerous circumstances, the Lord will hide us safely is a blessing. Our enemies will be unable to touch us for the Lord will hide us. We read of the Lord hiding David, the Psalmist: “For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” Psalms 27:5 NLT When trouble comes, we shall be hidden in the sanctuary of His protection. “Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because he rescues me.” Psalms 35:9 NLT We must turn unto the Lord, then we will rejoice with a deep, unbroken joy in our God. He will hide us and fight on our behalf. He will hide us in His sanctuary, then we will have joy. To be near to God should be our dearest wish. When we are near Him we are in the perfect place of safety, peace, quietness, settledness, comfort and joy. It is enough to rest in His presence and find Him without striving.
We all love a bit of fun and company. Yesterday, we had a ‘Family Fun Day’ at church. It was good to all be together and see the children having a fabulous time, but there is something about: “In returning and rest you shall be saved.” Isaiah 30:15 NKJV “In returning” into the presence of God, “and rest” in Him, for it is there we can grow confident that “you shall be saved.” Being alone with God, in the quiet, is something we need to work at. Being comfortable in quietness is where we find ourselves and our God. If we cannot be content when we are alone, then we cannot be at peace with God; for it is in the quietness and aloneness that we are strengthened. “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 NKJV If you have lived a busy life or come from a large family being alone can be foreign so, for some, this might take time to practice. But a true lover of Christ learns to love being alone with Him. And so our verse becomes an encouragement to us. For He will help us: “I will bring him near and he will come close to me.” The soul is the spiritual part of you: the part that is immortal and will never die.
Whatever we do in this lifetime, with all its different phases from childhood to adolescence, to parenthood to becoming a grandparent, there is nothing more important than your soul. The one advantage of being in the autumnal years is that you can reflect and look back at all life has thrown at you, and there is no doubt we learn from our mistakes. When we have a family, they arrive like a bombshell and turn our lives upside down, and then they move on, and we are left with empty nests and enjoying a little more peace again. Our careers come and go. We move from one location to another, but the only thing that remains consistent is our soul. It is always there through every stage of life. Sometimes, it is neglected and hides behind the hardness of our hearts, but it is there until the end of our physical days, and then it will live on without our bodily shell. Christ put an enormous value on the soul. When He asks this question, He implies that nothing is more valuable than your soul. He came to save souls. He came to bring us eternal life. When He said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,’ He was saying if you walk in My way and obey My truth, you will find life. The soul, the core of who you are, is meant to be full of abundant life. When abundant life flows, rivers of living water flow out of our innermost being. Eternal life will gush out, no matter what age and stage in life we are. Only here is the place of satisfaction. So, whatever age you are, whatever you do, wherever you live in some ways is irrelevant. What matters is: ‘How is your soul?’ Is it on fire with the life of God? Is it resting in green pastures and beside still waters? Is it full to overflowing with the life of God, or is it pulsing with the zeal of His house? It should be all of these things. Look after your soul. It is more important than life itself. “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.” Psalm 62:1 NKJV Peter little understood what was being given to him on this occasion. What a weight of responsibility was coming on his shoulders. Not only was he given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, but now he was given powers to forbid and permit.
Our Lord was speaking to him about the beginning of the church. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter took up his mantle and preached to thousands of people, accusing them of being the murderers of Christ. We read that 3,000 souls were added to the church that first day. Peter had used the keys to open heaven’s door to thousands. But this was only the beginning. He was responsible for what was permitted and forbidden within the church. There are 613 laws in the Old Testament. These cover issues including instructions about food, punishments and how God should be worshipped. All these rules could not be put on the early Christian church. It was the responsibility of Peter and the disciples to sort this out. They couldn’t be bringing the early church into bondage and making them Jews. This was a new way, a new faith. Perhaps the responsibility wasn’t quite as glamorous as Peter first thought! But it was equally important. Maybe it went to his head because the first thing that he forbade was that Christ should die in Jerusalem. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Matthew 16:22 NLT And we know the rebuke Peter received. “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:23 NLT If there had been any pride in Peter’s call to open the gates of heaven and to permit and forbid, it would have been dissolved in these few minutes. The first operation of his godly ministry was shattered in rebuke. Peter had received a mighty calling but he had a lot to learn. Just because we are called does not mean we are ready for service. And we know what followed: the betrayal, the anguish, the breaking and the restoration. God had much to teach His chosen. One day, Peter would preach under the mighty anointing and win thousands for Christ, but for now, even though he received his call, he had to wait and listen and learn. Never think too highly of yourself when words are spoken to you by another or from God. Always keep before you that you are but a child learning from the Master, and you will do well. Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” Psalms 34:9 NKJV10/6/2024 I read a quote from Spurgeon this morning in connection with this verse:
“Fear not the wrath of men, neither be tempted to sin through the violence of their threats; fear God and fear nothing else.” The Treasury of David. Psalm34 It is a good thing to fear the Lord. “But I will show you whom you should fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5 NKJV Fear not the future. Fear not the past. Fear not what man can do to you. But fear God. What glorious liberty there is in this one fact. We need not be afraid of any man, woman or child. Only Christ has power over our souls. We are free when we fear no one but God, who can bring us into the light of Heaven or cast us into the darkness of Hell. He alone can bring clarity rather than confusion, peace instead of turmoil, joy rather than anger, and contentment in exchange for unhappiness and depression. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 NKJV Free from fear, free from worry, free from anxiety, free from turmoil. Enter into your freedom, for there is no want there. You will be made whole in Christ. Glory to His Name! “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I Peter 5:10 NKJV On the first occasion, when 5,000 men were fed, not to mention the women and children who were present, we read that there were twelve baskets left over (Matthew 14:20). On the second occasion, when Christ fed a vast crowd, this time 4,000 men not to mention the women and children who were present, there were seven baskets of leftover food (Mark 8:8).
There is a spiritual principle in operation here. The more you give, the more you get back. Our Lord Jesus had more food when He fed the 4,000 when the crowd was slightly smaller. Despite this, there were more leftovers on the first occasion, when He fed 5,000 when the resources were stretched to their limits. This is a tremendous thought: that we shall never run out of spiritual provision for ourselves no matter how much we give in the church. As long as we are in the will of God and remain under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, there will be bounteous provision. We read of John Wesley preaching four sermons each Sunday whilst travelling around the countryside on horseback. Many of us would struggle with the arduous lifestyle, let alone preaching four times, and I am sure it wouldn’t have been the same sermon all the time! He must have had plenty of leftovers. We may be tired at the end of a busy day serving the Lord, but our tiredness should be physical and not spiritual. If we are spiritually drained, we have been using our provisions and not the miraculous ones provided by the Holy Spirit. God is no man’s debtor. There is no greater reward than, after seeing God’s people satisfied, sitting down and feasting ourselves. We have the satisfaction of knowing that the people are satisfied and that we are blessed to be in God's will, having benefitted from rich and glorious anointing. What a privilege is given to those who serve in the Kingdom. There will always be plenty of ‘leftovers’. The word of the Lord is 100% right, for there is no wrong in God. There is no shadow made by turning. He is perfectly correct in every word He says and in every action He does.
“God writes with a pen that never blots, speaks with a tongue that never slips, acts with a hand that never fails.” Spurgeon There is perfect freedom in the rightness of the word of the Lord. In His word, there is light and purity and truth. Nothing is hidden. There are no lies or hatred. There is nothing deceitful; there is no sham. His word, whatever that is to you, is precise and accurate. The Bible says: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 NLT His works are filled with truth. Nothing is hidden. All He has created contains truth. His creation is overflowing with rightness and truth. Only man is corrupt in all His ways: full of darkness, hatred and wickedness, seeking revenge. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed because he embraces the rightness of the word of God and loves the truth that is in the work of His hands. More than all in this world, learn to love the rightness and truth of God. See it in His creation, in the beauty of all around you. Dwell on the goodness of God. Feed on His richness. For in Him, there is no shadow, doubt, or lie but only uncreated light and truth. Only He could say, “I am the truth.” John 14:6 NLT Our trust must never waver. We must remain trusting even when we are on our knees. And His mercy shall compass us about.
What a comforting thought that when the circumstances of life break us, we shall discover that: “The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27 NKJV When we feel we are falling, His arms will be beneath us, and they will hold us and stop us from falling into darkness. We will be upheld by a presence and strength we didn’t know existed. We will be unable to crash, for He will hold us safely. Mercy will surround us. It will be under us and over, to our left and right. It will support our weary spirits and broken hearts. “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge.” Psalms 91:4 NKJV There is tremendous softness in the encompassing mercy of God. Like the softest down, His wings protect you and keep you safe. It is not wrong to have a broken heart. It is not wrong to grieve. But we must learn to be as a tiny child who turns and hides himself in the bosom of the Father. There He will encompass you with His mercy and hold you safe. “He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV |