The Sons Are Free (Matthew 17:26)


 

Saturday, 25 October, 2025


Psalm 135

2 Kings 8:16-29

Matthew 17:14-27


The Sons Are Free (Matthew 17:26)


[Jesus said] “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.”


Who is your king?


Imagine my surprise when I discovered that our prayer-book collects for the King of England are not universally admired by Australian Anglicans! It would seem that we descendants of convicts still have a bit of a republican streak in us.


But one of those prayers for the monarch teach us a lot about how to think about human authority. There is one where the priest prays that the king, remembering whose minister he is, would govern according to the teachings of Jesus. It is a helpful reminder that “there is always a bigger fish”. Even the king rules only at the pleasure of the living God.


And so when Jesus asks St Peter about kings of the earth, their children, and who pays tax, the conversation ends with the conclusion that followers of Jesus are the true children of the true king, and so are under no legal obligation. But, in order that no-one be offended, we will do what they ask (within reason, of course).


As a true child of the true king, how do you understand your obligation to the laws of human governments? How do you discern between holy laws and flawed laws, and Jesus example of not causing offence?


Christ our king, you behold all the rulers of the earth, and raise up and cast down human kingdoms according to your divine decree: teach us how to be good citizens, that we may be lights of your love in our communities.

 

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