Matthew 17: 25-26
OUR LORD’S miracles are “SIGNS” as well as “WONDERS”.
THIS MIRACLE IS UNLIKE all the other miracles of our Lord.
- It is the only miracle in which our Lord uses power for Himself.
- It seems done for a very TRIVIAL END – the providing of some three shillings of our money.
Therefore, it is MORE of a “SIGN” than a “WONDER”
Tonight we shall hope to show the THINGS “SIGNIFIED”-
- The LORD’S SUPERIORITY
This tribute money was not a CIVIL but an ECCLESIASTICAL tribute.
It started in the WILDERNESS “a ransom for his soul”
NOW in Jesus’ day it was a TAX for UPKEEP of the TEMPLE
So they came to see if this JEW, with such tax views on Pharisaic matters, was loyal to the TEMPLE.
PETER – anxious to defend told them “YES!”
Then came the Lord’s parable to him: “And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.”
Thus He claims DEITY – “the BRIGHTNESS of the FATHER’S GLORY – the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON”.
He did not say “Believe in VIRTUE”
Or “Believe in TRUTH”
Not even “Believe in my WORD”
BUT – “BELIEVE IN ME!”
THE WINDS KNEW HIM
THE WINE RECOGNISED HIM
THE DEVILS FEARED AND FLED HIM.
What is this EXEMPTION of the Son?
The tribute had a dual meaning
It was a ransom.
- It was to support the Temple.
So, He claims to have no need of a ransom for HIMSELF
“Thou art fairer than the CHILDREN OF MEN”
He needed no TEMPLE! – IT WAS –
- The dwelling place of God. “God was in CHRIST”
- The place of SACRIFICE. “Through the eternal spirit OFFERED HIMSELF”.
Meeting place of MAN OF GOD. “No man cometh unto the FATHER BUT BY ME”
JESUS WAS ALL THESE “He is greater than the Temple”.
- THE SON’S SUBMISSION – “LEST WE SHOULD OFFEND”
He is tender beyond all telling.
God walked down the stairs of heaven with a baby in His arms……
“Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself”
This was the point of departure”
AROUND THE RADIANT GLORIES OF HIS DEITY, he gathers the FOLDS OF HIS HUMANITY.
CRIBBED CABINED & CONFINED BY INCARNATION IN THE NARROW LIMITS of OUR FLESH….
The King is Son, though free, goes among HIS FATHER’S SUBJECTS, hardens His hands by toil – learned a servant’s heart…. WAS FREE FROM NECESSITY OF DEATH.
HIS LOYAL SUBMISSION ALONE accounts for CALVARY.
- SON’S SPLENDOUR
Men have made merry with this MIRACLE – but there is a deep, divine decorum.
Humiliation’s gloom is ever intertwined with gleams of His glory!-
AT HIS MANGER-BED – the angels sang!
AT HIS CROSS OF SHAME – the sun grew dark – NIGHT STEPPED FROM HER HALLS AND DREW CURTAINS ROUND HIS HARD UPRIGHT BED.
So HERE IN THIS MIRACLE of SUBMISSION –
- The gleam of OMNISCIENCE “ARCHDEACON”
AT THIS seemingly TRIVIAL MIRACLE – Showed the CHRIST even in His LOWLINESS was the SON OF GOD!
- THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE SON FOR US
Does not say, “for us”
“FOR ME “ – – CONDESCENSION
“for THEE” – – HIS PROVISION
Both CONSCIENCE & the LAW grasps us by the THROAT & screams “Pay what thou owest ” alas, we are BANKRUPT.
THE LAST ADAM
“Take(Calvary’s finished work – All thy debt will thus be paid.
THE PRICE IS GIVEN TO THEE BY A HAND THAT WEPT CRIMSON TEARS ONE APRIL DAY LONG AGO
Pastor Stanley Smith 
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