Ezekiel 1:2-5, 24-28 / Matthew 17:22-27
When we read the gospels and reflect on it deeper, especially on the things that Jesus did, we may wonder why He did what He did, especially since He is the Son of God.
He seemed so much more human than He was divine.
He didn't have to be born in a stable, yet He did.
He didn't have to work as a carpenter, yet He did.
He didn't have to wash His disciples' feet, yet He did.
He didn't have to die on the cross, yet He did.
But did He have to pay the half-shekel? Well, to begin with, the half-shekel was for the upkeep of the Temple and also for the upkeep of the priestly services.
So Jesus had to pay the half-shekel, and He indeed did pay that Temple tax from the coin that was in the mouth of the fish that Peter caught.
But He also revealed a bit about His true identity when He said that kings collect tax from foreigners and not from their own sons.
In doing this, Jesus taught us a lesson on humility and obedience.
He is the Son of God, He is Lord and Saviour, He is Master, He is Teacher.
Yet He humbled Himself and took the form of a servant and became obedient even until death, and death on the cross (Phil 2:7-8)
In life we may be pushed to pay many "half-shekels" that we are not obliged to do so.
Somebody's work may end up on our desk; we may be stuck with a dirty thankless task; we may take the rap for someone else's mistake.
But let us be humble and obedient just like Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
And we will be repaid a hundred fold with God's love and more so, in the eternal feast of heaven as His children around His table.