Return to Galilee.
I. REITERATED PREDICTIONS OF THE COMING PASSION.
1. The Lord alone with the twelve. He returns to Galilee, but no longer for teaching. He revisits the old familiar spots with the shadow of death closing round him. He was not followed by multitudes as of old. He "passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it" (Mark 9:30). He confined his teaching to the little circle of his apostles. He sought to prepare them for the awful scenes which lay before them.
2. He forewarns them of his death. He repeats in Galilee the prophecy of Caesarea Philippi; he adds one important detail, "The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men." He hints at the treachery; he tells them not yet of the traitor. He predicts his approaching death; he predicts his resurrection on the third day. They were exceeding sorry; they understood not that saying, says St. Mark, and were afraid to ask him. The Lord had now told them of his death twice, and that very plainly; but they could not, they would not, take it into their hearts. It so dashed all their hopes, it was so utterly different from all their expectations. It seemed so strange, so impossible, that One who had manifested such wondrous power, whom some of them had lately seen radiant with the glory of heaven, could suffer death at the hands of men. They were exceeding sorry; they could not believe, and yet perhaps they could not wholly disbelieve. They feared to ask him. Their love for him was mingled with a profound reverence and awe which late events had greatly increased. They were filled with grief and mysterious forebodings.
II. THE TEMPLE DUES.
1. The question put to Peter. All adult Jews paid a half shekel yearly for the expenses of the temple service. The payment was originally made (Exodus 30:12-16) only when the people were numbered. It was called a ransom for souls. The same sum was paid by all, rich and poor alike, to show that the souls of rich and poor are of equal value in the sight of God. The collectors now came to Peter. They felt, it may be, something of the awful dignity which surrounded the Person of the Lord. "Doth not your Master pay the half shekel?" they said. Peter at once assented; he thought that his Master, so zealous for the honour of the temple, would readily and gladly pay the temple dues.
2. Peter's conversation with the Lord. Peter came into the house, perhaps his own house, which had been usually honoured with the Saviour's presence during his residence at Capernaum. Jesus spoke first to him. He knew what had happened, for he knew all things. He drew from Peter the acknowledgment that the kings of the earth take tribute from their subjects, but not from their own children; the children are free. The inference was obvious. Peter had not long before confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then he was under no obligation to pay the customary dues for the maintenance of the temple service, for he was the only begotten Son of the invisible King, who, though the heaven and the heaven of heavens could not contain him, deigned to regard that temple as his earthly sanctuary. Again, Christ was greater than the temple; he himself was the Temple of God in the fullest, holiest sense. All this Peter had forgotten.
3. The payment. It was not of obligation; the Lord was plainly exempt. But he will pay it for example's sake, to avoid wounding consciences. It was right for Israelites to maintain the temple services. It is right that Christians should give freely, cheerfully, for the support of the Church. It would have caused grave offence if the people of Capernaum, who knew the Lord so well, had heard that he refused to contribute for a purpose so sacred. They would not understand the deep reasons which he gave to Peter. They would simply suppose that a great Rabbi, a famous Teacher, declined to pay the temple dues. The example would be evil; it would be seized as an excuse by the avaricious; it would cause idle and malicious talk. The Lord would pay the sum demanded, though he was not really liable. He is here, as always, an Example to us—our great Example. We must avoid shocking the feelings of others, even the prejudices of the ill instructed, We must be careful not to do things which, though lawful in themselves, may lead others astray. We must not stand upon our strict rights when to do so might be misunderstood, and might wound the consciences of weak brethren. We must give willingly, not only to the poor, but also for the service of the Church. The half shekel paid annually for the service of the temple was regarded as given to God. So are our poor gifts now, if we give in faith and love. We must learn humility of our lowly Lord. He came to be baptized, though he was without sin. He paid the temple dues, the ransom for souls, though he was the Son of God. "Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."
4. The means for providing the payment. It may be that the bag which Judas kept was empty. It may be, though the sum was so small, that Peter had rashly promised more than the slender means of the little company could then furnish. It may be that the Lord wished to teach Peter that, though he submitted to this demand like an ordinary Israelite, he was indeed the Lord of creation, that even the fishes of the sea would wait upon his will. Peter was to resume his old occupation. He was to go to the sea. The first fish that came up would furnish the necessary money, a stater, enough for both the Lord and Peter. The Lord teaches us a lesson of trustfulness. He bids us fulfil the duties of our calling, in the humble discharge of those daily duties we shall find all that we need; for he will provide for those who trust in him. We are not told the result. Doubtless the stater was found. The two half shekels were paid. The Lord does not mock his people with commands which cannot be obeyed. He who gives the commandment enables them to fulfil it. He directed the fish to the hook of Peter. He makes all things work together for good to them that love him. He will help us in small difficulties as well as in great emergencies, he teaches us by this miracle, as he taught afterwards by the mouth of his apostle, "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
LESSONS.
1. The apostles were reverent in their relations with Christ; so must we be.
2. They feared to ask him about his approaching death; they understood him not. We know more than they knew then; let us meditate constantly in reverent love upon the Saviour's cross.
3. Let us give freely for all good works; let us not make excuses for ourselves, but imitate the Lord's example.
4. Our almsgiving will not impoverish us; "the Lord will provide."
HOMILIES BY W.F. ADENEY