HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

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When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."
Matthew 17:24‭-‬27 ESV

¶Jesus used the tax as a lesson on His own sonship, not of the rulers of this world, but of His Father in heaven. Nevertheless, he submits and pays the tax, making a point of doing so with power from on high. Like His answer to Pilate, "you have no power over me unless it had been given you from above", He is letting the godless powers of this world hit Him with their best shots, trusting in His heavenly Father. After this minor humiliation of paying the two-drachma tax, He has much further down to go before He is finally lifted up, drawing up all men with Him to Himself.

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