Royal Rights

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave.” Philippians 2:5-7 NLT

Those of us who are citizens of the United States have our rights spelled out for us in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Every citizen is protected under those rights for being a citizen of the United States. None of us want to be pressured to give up any of our rights that are guaranteed as a citizen. It would seem unconscionable to do so, but what if demanding our rights interferes with the work God has given us to do? Our Lord Jesus faced just an occasion where His rights as the Son of God were put aside in order to complete His mission.

The story is told in chapter 17 of Matthew’s gospel. Jesus had been travelling throughout Galilee with His disciples and they came to Capernaum, Jesus’ residence during His ministry. Peter was approached by those who collected the temple tax rendered to every male over twenty years old for the maintenance of the temple. They questioned Peter, ‘Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?’ (Mt.17:24 nlt) Being confused by the question, Peter answered with a simple ‘yes.’ Jesus anticipated some kind of response from His often-confused disciple and preceded to tell him a little parable. “Jesus asked him, ‘What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?’ ‘They tax the people they have conquered,’ Peter replied. ‘Well, then,’ Jesus said, ‘the citizens are free!’” (Mt17:25-26nlt)

Citizens belonging to the king were not taxed as it is their right. Jesus, therefore being God the Son, by His royal rights, should not pay a tax to His own temple. Jesus is claiming He is the King, the Messiah, and the Divine Son of God. His disciples were beginning to understand this, but those collecting the tax would indeed claim blasphemy on the part of Jesus. Although Jesus had every right not to pay the tax, He did pay it to prevent the appearance of being profane before the temple for His time had not yet come.

There may be times we need to hold our tongue and not be so quick to claim our rights. Sometimes our rights will get in the way of presenting the gospel in a manner pleasing to the Lord. We certainly want to be true to the Word of God but let us also examine our hearts and apply the wisdom God has given us and not give the appearance of profaning our faith in Christ, who when having the right, laid aside His ‘royal rights.’