Ambassadors for Christ

Thursday, March 5th, 2026

4:14 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 17:24-27. When Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax asked Peter if his Teacher paid the Temple tax? Peter automatically tells the men yes He does. Peter goes into a house where Jesus is, and before He could tell Jesus about the collectors, Jesus asks Peter if Kings tax their own people or the people the conquer? Peter answers with, "The people they conquer." Then Jesus tells them, "Well then, the citizens are free!" But He tells them that they don't want to offend the collectors, so He tells Peter to go down to the lake and catch a fish. And to open the mouth of the first fish he catches. In the fish's mouth would be a large silver coin. Peter was to use it to pay the Temple tax for both himself and Jesus.

Jesus, as the King, does not collect taxes from His people, us. But because He is not the King of this world, He paid the taxes that were required in the land He was in. Because we are followers of Jesus Christ, He has made us citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just like with Jesus, though, we are here in this land as foreigners. Just as Jesus followed the rules set by the king of the land at that time, we too are to follow the laws of the land. Being ambassadors for the Kingdom that the Lord has accepted us into. Following the laws of the land we are in, but also telling other people in the land about our heavenly King that accepts anyone who turns to Him. And just like Jesus provided what Peter needed to obey the law, Jesus provides for us. We don't have to worry, but know that the one who called us and sent us as ambassadors for Him, provides what we need to do what He has called us to do here on earth. But it does take action from us: Following Jesus and obeying what He tells us to do. We are His ambassadors while we are alive here on earth. Trust Him to guide you in this life, and allow Him to help you every step of the way.