He Is King

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV)

This passage focuses our attention on Jesus’s acknowledgement of His total self-awareness. And as much as we want Him to be so familiar to us, Jesus is not afraid of reminding us of His distinction. He can walk with you like a brother or a sister. Jesus can relate to you like a friend. Jesus can guard and protect you like a defender. He can listen and empathize like a companion. But He doesn’t want there to ever be a mistake when it comes to the totality of our interpretation of who Jesus is. He says, “Aside from all these things—friend, protector, companion, and supplier—don’t forget this: I am the King.”

The tax collectors would have a totally different approach if they understood who they were making an inquiry of. Jesus is the King.

Today I want to remind you that your life is going to be impacted only at the level of your perception of the Lord Jesus Christ. However you see Jesus in your life, that is the limit and the scope, the height and the depth, of the potential and possibilities in your life.

Your prayers, your pledge, your participation, your promises, your priorities are all shaped by how you see Jesus. And I’m here to tell you, amidst all that you see Him as, you need to also see Him as the King.