DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2019 – AS IT WAS IN JESUS’S TIME

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

BIBLE TEXT: Matthew 17:22-27

22. And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men;

23. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

KEY VERSE: Matthew 17:27

Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY

In Washington, DC, United States of America, there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located within the Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial in this US capital city enjoys a 24-hour watch for the 365 days of the year. When a new armed guard arrives to replace his departing colleague, he receives some orders. The words are always the same: “Orders remain unchanged”. This has been so for decades.

READ ALSO: RHAPSODY OF REALITIES FOR MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2019 – PRINCIPLES, RELATIONSHIPS AND ACTIONS

Christians have an older and richer tradition of precepts handed to us by our Leader Jesus Christ. As He spoke for the second time in the gospel of Matthew about His death and resurrection on the third day, tribute collectors accosted Him and Peter. It presented an opportunity for the miracle of turning the mouth of a fish into a money bank. The Lord did more. He taught that the Christian, though a citizen of heaven, must fulfil his civic duties by paying taxes as He Himself did.

READ: OPEN HEAVENS FOR MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2019 – SAFE IN HIS HANDS

Jesus’ precept to His followers to honour the state and cooperate with civil authorities when they raise levies for projects that do not offend the Scriptures has come down to us as ‘orders (that) remain unchanged’. The believer is expected to partner the government of the day or the council of his community in the development of the nation or area of residence, regardless of his Christian stance. That the Christian is “not of the world” should not exclude him from performing his civic duties.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
True followers of Christ prevent controversy and support responsibility.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 1-2