Breaking the Word

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were overwhelmed with grief. When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"  "Yes," he said. When he came into the house, before he had time to speak, Jesus asked him, "What is your opinion, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?" When he said, "From foreigners," Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you."  (Mt 17:22-27)

The disciples were overwhelmed with grief when they heard the news about Jesus’ death. This news also was accompanied with the news about his resurrection. We wonder why the disciples were not overjoyed about that. It could be because they have not experienced the resurrected persons. They did not want to lose Jesus. They wanted him to be with them always.

Jesus didn’t believe the Temple tax was proper. Every Jew, all over the world, was supposed to pay small sum each year, to help to support the Temple in Jerusalem. This irritated several Jews and some even wanted to over throw the Temple regime. This could have been one of the reasons why Jesus was against the Temple and its administration.

Jesus’ kingdom movement was aimed at challenging the authority of the Temple and its rulers. Now he was in Galilee and this was not the opportune time speak against the Temple. Time will come when he would openly challenge the authorities. Now he had better played it low. He was a master strategist. He planned to challenge them in Jerusalem so he asked Peter to oblige.

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." (Mt 14: 22-33)

Man of faith sees God and his presence close to him whatever happens. But a man of little faith sees the natural events as they happen. Jesus sent the disciples away to go before him. As they go they see the sea which they are used to; they see the wind and the rough sea as they were used to in the past; they were used to work into the fourth watch and it was natural for them; and that is the reason they see a ghost.

Peter also gets on to the sea with his little faith (seeing the things naturally as normal events that take place regularly). Man of little faith did not see the presence of Jesus as the presence of God. His little faith made him see everything as natural events. So he had to go into the sea and that is the natural law. Only when he see Jesus as Lord and son of God then there is life for him. Man of fiath Jesus the presence of God.

Jesus taught the disciples that they should have faith. In the case of miracles also, Jesus told the persons who were healed that their faith had healed them. In life anything positive or successful is a gift of God and this is give for those who are men of faith. Faith is essential for a happy and successful life. Men of little faith also live their lives but they struggle through difficulties and problems.