Half a shekel was payable annually to the Temple by every Jew over twenty years of

age. This was based on Exod. 30: 11-16, originally, for the support of the Tabernacle

and then reinstated after the Exile (Neh. 10: 32) for the Temple.  Christ shows by

illustration that the children of kings are exempt from tax (Matt. 17: 25, 26). As the Son

of God He was not compelled to pay tribute to support God's house, but if He had not

paid it might have been regarded as disrespect, so, in order to avoid causing

misunderstanding, He instructs Peter to fish and he would find the exact amount of

money for the Lord and himself in a fish. He Who created all things, for our sakes

became poor (II Cor. 8: 9), so much so that He had not enough money to pay this small

tax!

Chapter 18: opens with the question of precedence which had been raised by the

disciples on the journey from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum (Mark 9: 33). Evidently

jealousy had been growing in their hearts. They had seen Peter, James and John singled

out by the Lord for the experience of the Transfiguration. What a devastating sin

jealousy can be! And this is not the only occurrence (Matt. 20: 20-28; Luke 22: 24).

The Lord's answer was to set a child in their midst and to point out that unless they

became child-like (not childish) they would never enter the kingdom of heaven (18: 2,

3), let alone have big places in it.

True humility is one of the most important Christian virtues. It is the opposite of pride

and self-sufficiency and is the basic mental attitude of the worthy walk of the believer

detailed in Eph. 4:-6:--(note 4: 2). The reception of such a character "on the basis of

My Name", means that he is like the Lord Jesus "meek and lowly of heart", with a sense

of dependence upon a parent's wisdom and love.

The saying about humbling oneself must have been repeated by the Lord many times

(see Matt. 23: 12). Surely this is one of the most difficult things to do, for it goes right

against human nature with its tendency to exalt self. Yet it is absolutely fundamental to a

life that is fruitful and well-pleasing to the Lord. Such a life will take care to avoid being

a stumbling block to others--especially the young (18: 6-8).

The language that follows is metaphorical, but there is no doubt as to its meaning. If

we have to make a choice, it is better to sacrifice important elements of our being, than be

guilty of conduct that would incur the loss of the whole. The hand speaks of doing and

making. The foot speaks of movement and walking. The eye speaks of seeing and

regarding. If any or all of these things cause us to violate the standards of the holy

Scriptures, they must be given up. The decision must rest with ourselves; no one can

decide for us, nor can we adopt the attitude that we cannot help our failures, for we are

not helpless machines. God's grace and strength are always at our disposal.