I AM

[Beloved Servant]

Matthew 17:24-27 (Amplified Bible)

24When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half shekel [the temple tax] went up to Peter and said, Does not your Teacher pay the half shekel?(A)

    25He answered, Yes. And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him [about it] first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or tribute--from their own sons or from others [a]not of their own family?

    26And when Peter said, From other people not of their own family, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are exempt.

    27However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them [c]to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself.

    Let us all hear what the Spirit is saying to Peter-Simon-Peter; Then the sons are exempt.
And if you need: Go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel.

My name is David and happy to be here with you.
Looking forward to reasoning together.
Short and concise, terse and incisive, no novels here.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Welcome to the Tent.....

[Beloved Servant]

Cardinal;

John 21:14-17 (Amplified Bible)

14This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself (appeared, was manifest) to the disciples after He had risen from the dead.

    15When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

    16Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

    17He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

    Beloved Servant

[70sevens]

Matthew 17:24-27 (Amplified Bible)

24When they arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the half shekel [the temple tax] went up to Peter and said, Does not your Teacher pay the half shekel?(A)

    25He answered, Yes. And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him [about it] first, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly rulers collect duties or tribute--from their own sons or from others [a]not of their own family?

    26And when Peter said, From other people not of their own family, Jesus said to him, Then the sons are exempt.

    27However, in order not to give offense and cause them to stumble [that is, to cause them [c]to judge unfavorably and unjustly] go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel. Take it and give it to them to pay the temple tax for Me and for yourself.

    Let us all hear what the Spirit is saying to Peter-Simon-Peter; Then the sons are exempt.
And if you need: Go down to the sea and throw in a hook. Take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find there a shekel.

My name is David and happy to be here with you.
Looking forward to reasoning together.
Short and concise, terse and incisive, no novels here.

"Short and concise, terse and incisive, no novels here"

1.  Temple Tax

God's commandment to contribute temple tax is to remind the believer
that he needs to give 'himself' as temple tax to God.
He can only do so by giving 'himself who is changed, saved and being born again by Christ'.
He himself, then, is son of God, and he has fulfilled the commandment of temple tax.
Therefore, he is exempt from the temple tax, because he already paid it by his being.

2.  Why the half Shekel, not one Shekel?

In order for us to give ourselves to God or be saved or be born again,
we definitely need to be united with Jesus Christ.
So when we are given to God and are saved,
then we have given "One Shekel" which is comprised of half Shekel from 'Me'
and half Shekel from the Christ.   

3.  Sea and First Fish things

I will carry on if anybody is keen to hear.

God bless.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Hi Beloved Servant.......that's interesting. I knew it was phrased 3 different ways, but never really paid attention to it. That passage has a special meaning to me, as He spoke that to me the second week I was saved while I was driving to paralegal classes.

I was trying to force myself to do the "sensible thing" and finish the program, when all I really wanted to do was study HIS law now.

He settled the "argument" going on in my mind, when He spoke to me, "Do you love Me? Feed My sheep", so loud it was like He was in the passenger seat. I came unglued. That was my last paralegal class. Thanks for the "reminder".  :thumbsup: Blessings....

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: That was good 70 sevens. I like that.  :thumbsup: Blessings....

[Redlettervoice]

I like the name "Beloved Servant" going with I AM.

Because that little "short" concise wording says a lot!

At first, I thought 70 7's and beloved servant were one,

well, I guess they are. ha

[aspiring son]

Welcome, Beloved. Hope to hear from you (and more of God's word) soon.


Grace and Peace,

Brandon