"My Treat"

From time to time, I like to treat ladies from my church to soup and salad at the Olive Garden.  It's a time when I can treat my special friends so we can catch up with each other, it's a time when I can treat ladies that I would like to get to know better, and at other time's it's because I know that there is a dear lady who just needs some special time of encouragement.  It's always a 'treat' to 'treat' and it's also a 'treat' to be 'treated.'

I read an interesting account the other day from Matthew 17:24-27.  It tells us of a time when Peter and Jesus were in Capernaum at the same time that the temple tax was due.    A person collecting the tax had approached Peter and asked him, 'Doth not your master pay tribute?'  Jesus knowing how Peter answered the tax collector, went on to ask Peter another question, "What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?"  Jesus is asking Peter if an earthly king taxes his own children or 'strangers,' those outside of his immediate family.  Peter answered correctly; the tax is for strangers.  Jesus is showing Peter that as the Son of God, He is exempt from paying a tax for His Father's house, because God's children are free.

But this is what I found so beautiful in this account.  It's verse 27.  Jesus says, "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."

Jesus not only paid a tax He didn't owe, but He paid the tax that was owed of Peter.

Isn't that just like our Saviour?  To pay a debt He didn't owe?

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23

Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross of calvary...

    He didn't have to, but He did...

         For you, and for me...

            Have you accepted His free gift of Salvation?  

                But that's just me!