(From my journal April 27, 2013). Sons, strangers, exemption and offense. In Luke 23:2 Jesus was accused of not supporting paying Roman taxes, even through he had specifically said, "give Caesar what is Caesar's." (Lk.20:20ff; Matt.22:15ff) He knew this was a very controversial subject just as its is today. We always fight against excessive taxation or taxation without representation. Our revolution was built on that. Taxes are one of the issues that can be a rallying point for insurrection. Jesus was not looking for insurrection but for resurrection. He was the Son of God-the whole world belonged to Him, He was Creator. The temple bore his name, He indwelled it. The rituals of the temple were made to Him. They were gifts to Him. Should be buy His own gifts? Just as earthly taxes were collected to support the king and his family and his kingdom, and they did not have to contribute to it, so it was with Jesus as Son-not stranger.
Sons were recipients. Strangers were contributors, even slaves. This is how the system worked. Some had privilege, some obligation. In John 10 Jesus made a distinction between strangers who care nothing for the sheep and the shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep. David as shepherd-king was more like the type of king God wanted. He cared for his people and sacrificed for them. When the temple was built it was David who was the first to give out of his vast supply for its construction. The word for "exempt" is eleutheros, freedom as opposed to slavery. "Slaves or free" is a common phrase (1 Cor.12:13; Gal.3:27). Exempt-1 Cor.7:39. The widow is free to marry whomever she wishes in the Lord. She is exempt from the bond of marriage which obligated her as long as her husband was alive. Unrestricted/unfettered-1 Cor.9:1. Paul asks, "Am I not free?" Contextually he is free to marry and take compensation. Just as Jesus was free from obligation to pay a temple tax because of his status and identity, Paul was free from the expectations of others. But he gave up his exemption, just as Jesus gave up His exemption. John 8:36 and Romans 6:20 proclaim a Christian exempt from the domination or power of sin. We should live as free or exempt, as sons, not slaves or strangers!
1 Peter 2:16, Act as free men and do not use your freedom (our word) as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. And in the next verse Peter says "Honor the king" and in verses 13-14 we are told to submit to the governing authorities, human institutions, for such is the will of God. Even harsh treatment (2:20) should be endured finding favor with God. Peter is teaching here what Jesus modeled before him in Matthew 17. The only offense we want to give is the cross not our insurrection.
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