"From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes ..." (Matthew 17:25-26)

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes — from their own children or from others?" (Matthew 17:24-26)

What does Jesus' analogy of taxes and the king's son mean?

Jesus is utilizing the situation as a teaching moment. Jesus is illustrating the intimate relationship between God and His loving servants - and comparing this relationship with the relationship of a son and father who also a king.

So the point Jesus is making to Peter is that if a person is subservient to God, then he comes under God's protection, and is not necessarily obligated to the general obligations of the physical world.

While this event relates to a temple tax, Jesus' lesson relates directly to one of the mainstays of the physical world: The law of consequences.

What is the law of consequences?

We can see this effect immediately if we hurt someone: We will likely be hurt back by them or by an authority. This is part of the law of cause of effect in the physical world.

This means that all of our activities that are performed with self-centered motive (inclusive of those extensions of ourselves - our families, countries, organizations, etc.) generate an account of sorts, which we will have to pay back (good or bad), either in this lifetime or the next.

The result is that we are given the opportunity to experience whatever effects we have had upon others - good and bad. These will occur for us in our current lifetime or a future lifetime.

This is why some of us are born into relative conditions of suffering. Some may be born into situations that relate directly to activities from the prior lifetime. These may be related to the consequences of our activities during our prior physical lifetime.

This has also been described as "as you sow, so shall you reap." This concept has been confirmed in numerous scriptural verses throughout the Bible, both directly and indirectly (KJV):

Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. (Psalm 126:5)

Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness (Hosea 10:12)

“Then this shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. (Isaiah 37:30)

For they sow the wind
And they reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7)

You shall have the fiftieth year as a jubilee; you shall not sow, nor reap its aftergrowth, nor gather in from its untrimmed vines. (Leviticus 25:11)

When you are sowing the eighth year, you can still eat old things from the crop, eating the old until the ninth year when its crop comes in. (Leviticus 25:22)

“According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity
And those who sow trouble harvest it. (Job 4:8)

“You will sow but you will not reap. (Micah 6:15)

He who sows iniquity will reap vanity (Proverbs 22:8)

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. (Proverbs 11:18)

He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

We know from Jesus' various teachings that he also taught this principle:

I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.” (John 4:38)

For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ (John 4:37)

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. (Matthew 25:24)

"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!" (Luke 12:24)

"... you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ (Luke 19:21)

He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? (Luke 19:22)

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16:27) 

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:18)

Even Paul - who was not a disciple of Jesus - also wrote about the law of consequences:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8)

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountiful. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

What about consequences in the service to God?

Jesus is speaking specifically to this.

If we were to act in a God-centered way: Acting to please God rather than for ourselves, then we are generally released from the results of those activities. Working for God's behalf will not create effects that will have to be paid off. Serving God produces spiritual results, and over time, will also mitigate other consequences built up over our lifetimes. This is summed up nicely in Proverbs:

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. (Proverbs 11:18)

Jesus also spoke about this:

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,  so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:18) 

This works in much the same way that Jesus illustrates, with a king's son being exempt from taxes. The household of the king is exempt because the king is the ruler of the land. In the same way, God's loving servants are exempt because the Supreme Being is the Ruler and Creator of the physical world.

This doesn't necessarily mean that someone working to serve God won't also suffer the consequences of other outside activities. But such consequences help such a person continue to advance towards perfecting their relationship with God.

Working to please the Supreme Being has spiritual consequences. Working to please God gives us spiritual fulfillment, simply because we are innately loving servants. This is the same reason people feel a little more fulfilled when they work on behalf of a loved one or family members: We are all servants.

Working for the Supreme Being results in the greatest fulfillment of our spiritual self.

Working to please the Supreme Being also helps others. Why? Because the Supreme Being loves each of us, and He is also pleased when we love and help His other children.

“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ..." (Matthew 18:5-7)

“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:5-7)

What does Jesus mean by 'welcomes one such child'?

The word “welcomes” is translated from the Greek word δέχομαι, which can mean "receive" , but also can mean, according to the Greek lexicon "to receive into one's family, to bring up or educate."

In other words, it means to receive, but also to guide or teach a person. In this context, Jesus is speaking of helping guide a child into a consciousness where God is the center of our lives.

Jesus is speaking about teaching others to love God, in other words. Should a person teach a child to love God and do God's will, as Jesus did, then Jesus will be pleased ("welcomes me").

What does 'causes to stumble' mean?

This clearly indicates the opposite of the first statement. That adversely guiding someone who is trying to follow Jesus yields the worst outcome. Jesus is stating that to utilize a position of influence to steer an innocent person away from the Truth is to offend the Supreme Being and Jesus.

This is actually the state of affairs of some teachers of sectarian institutions today who teach false interpretations of the scriptures and Jesus' life. They end up teaching materialism in the name of Jesus - emphasizing that if we ask Jesus we can become wealthy or successful. Meanwhile, they ignore Jesus' most important teachings, such as the "greatest commandment" to love the Supreme Being with all our hearts and minds.

What does 'woe to the world' mean?

"World" is translated from the Greek word κόσμος (kosmos), which means "the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family" according to the lexicon according to this context. Jesus is speaking of the physical world - the world where we misidentify ourselves with these temporary physical bodies and we think that this world is all there is.

In reality, we are not these physical bodies. We are the spirit-persons who are temporarily dwelling within these bodies, and at the time of death we will leave them.

So what are “the things that cause people to stumble”? These "things" are the temporary forms and names of the physical world. The attractions of the physical world are geared towards self-indulgence. The illusion of the physical world is that the shapes and forms that our eyes perceive will bring us happiness.

Rather, these are simply reflections of floating molecules that combine for a while and give the impression of permanence. They do not bring real happiness. They do not fulfill the spirit-person within.

What does it mean to 'stumble'?

Previous NIV versions - and some other Bible versions translate the Greek word σκάνδαλον (skandalon) to "sin". Others translate it to "offend" or "offense."

But "stumble" is a reasonable translation. This is describing a consciousness of self-gratification. Regardless of the word used, it is the opposite of love. Love is caring for others, and this is centered around caring only for ourselves.

But what about the "you have to love yourself before you can love others" doctrine that so many are teaching today? Does this teaching even make sense? At what point does a person's love for themselves translate into love for others?

Rather, this teaching is self-centeredness dressed in fancy words. They are essentially teaching their followers to stumble.

In fact, loving ourselves is our disease, and why we are currently away from the Supreme Being.

“Woe” - from the Greek word οὐαί (ouai) - is an expression of grief. Jesus is saying here that those who mislead others must suffer the consequences of misleading others.

The physical world is full of illusion and physical attractions, but those who teach that these will fulfill us shall be responsible for the consequences of those teachings.

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed ...” (Matthew 20:18-19)

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20:18-19)

Did Jesus really say 'betrayed'?

The Greek word being translated to "betrayed" is παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi). This word primarily means, according to the lexicon, "to give into the hands of another." This could also mean, "to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death."

Neither of these definitions indicate betrayal. They indicate being arrested or turned over to be arrested. But betrayal is another thing altogether.

In other words, Jesus' real statement says something different, something like:

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be arrested ...”

or perhaps:

“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be persecuted...”

This is important because Jesus was not forced under arrest. He knew in advance of going to Jerusalem that he would be arrested, as this statement indicates.

Why did he go to Jerusalem then, if he knew he'd be arrested, and then persecuted?

And why did he instruct Judas to go ahead and inform the high priest of his whereabouts?

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” (John 13:27)

Then Jesus waited to be arrested, he greeted the guards positively and chastized Peter when he tried to fight off the guards who arrested him.

These points - including the fact that Jesus could have simply not gone to Jerusalem, or he could have not waited on Mount Olive to be arrested, or he could have run off into the woods when he knew they were coming to arrest him - all indicate that Jesus was not betrayed so much as he was prepared to meet with his fate at the hands of the high priest.

Given that, Jesus also knew Judas would arrange to receive a ransom in return for arranging for Jesus' arrest. This was the betrayal of Judas. Jesus did instruct Judas to do what he was going to do. But he didn't instruct him to receive a ransom. That was an act of betrayal, and Jesus knew he would do this.

Jesus is the loving representative of God. In such a relationship, God can make certain facts about the future available to His loving servant. This is because it pertains to Jesus’ service to the Supreme Being:

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me." (John 6:38)

Why is Jesus speaking of himself in the third person?

Why doesn't he say, "We are going up to Jerusalem and I will be betrayed ...?"

And what is a Son of Man? Isn't every male born in the physical world a son of a man - and therefore "Son of Man"?

The Greek phrase translated to “Son of Man” is υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. The Greek word τοῦ means "of". The Greek word υἱός (huios) might indicate a relationship of offspring in another context, but in this context, we have to draw from the secondary meaning of υἱός (huios). This is, as taken from the Greek lexicon, "used to describe one who depends on another or is his follower."

In this context, this relates to working for the welfare of another, or service. Furthermore, the Greek word ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpos) means "generically, to include all human individuals" according to Thayer's lexicon. This would mean that Jesus is putting himself at the service (or "following") of humankind, or better, humanity.

In other words, instead of "Son of Man," υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου should be translated more accurately to "Servant of humanity."

Furthermore, Jesus is referring to "Servant of humanity" in the third person because "Servant of humanity" is a role. This might be compared to the use of the word "General" in the military. Yes, there are specific people who hold this rank, but the rank is a role, not one particular person.

As such, there have been multiple people who have been called this role. David referred to himself as the "Son of Man" [servant of humanity]:

"O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the Son of Man that You think of him?" (Psalm 144:3)

David is obviously using this reference to himself from a position of humility. David is considering himself a lowly servant of humanity, and why should God consider him?

We also find that the Supreme Being addressed Ezekiel as "Son of Man" at least 60 times in the Book of Ezekiel, such as:

“Son of Man [servant of humanity], I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me." (Ezekiel 3:17)

In the same way, Jesus addressed himself humbly, as the servant of humanity. Yes, he was truly God's loving servant, but he was serving humankind as he taught God's message and tried to save people.

The reality is, all of the activities of Jesus were intended to please God and serve humanity. Even though Jesus knew he would be betrayed, mocked, and tortured, he still kept traveling to Jerusalem. He could have easily stayed away and kept his body safe. But he continued out of his love for God and his desire to please God (see also "thy will be done" in the Lord's prayer).

Did Jesus' murder cleanse our sins?

Some teachings suggest that Jesus' murder was so our sins would be forgiven. They claim that Jesus suffered on the cross so that we would be cleansed of the responsibility of our selfish actions ("sins"). That all we need to do is ceremoniously drink Jesus' "blood" and we don't have to worry about the consequences of our selfish activities, even if those activities include maiming or even murdering people.

Certainly, Jesus’ sacrifice has the ability to relieve our sins. But only to the extent that we have a change of heart. Only to the extent that we realize that Jesus' sacrifice exhibited Jesus' loving relationship with God and his commitment to pleasing Him.

In other words, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in his service to God. This is why, before his arrest, Jesus prayed:

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt. 26:39)

Jesus' suffering was about his relationship with the Supreme Being. This is the message of this event. It is not about our sins.

This has the ability to purify our consciousness - and thus can relieve us from self-centeredness.

How does this work? Let’s say that a man was put in jail for stealing. The man is sitting in jail because of what he did. But in many places, including the U.S., a man can be pardoned by a president or governor.

Such a pardon does not come easily. The jailed man can't just imagine he is pardoned. There is a process that includes the Governor's careful review of the situation. It also must come with some confidence that if the man is let out of jail he won't just go out and commit the crime again.

In a bonafide pardon, the person being pardoned should show evidence of being rehabilitated. If the man simply gets out of jail and commits the same crime, the Governor will be at least partly responsible. Therefore, pardons are typically not taken lightly.

What about the consequences of our activities?

The physical world was designed as a place of consequences. Self-centered acts that harm others will have consequences. These consequences range, and depend upon the harmful activity and whether it was done with an awareness of the harm it would do.

In other words, a conscious act that harms the body of someone else creates consequential harm against our body in the future.

Such consequences are not punitive. It is not that God is up there wanting to see us suffer.

Rather, this physical world is designed as a place of consequence in order to teach us. Consequences help teach us to love others. They help teach us to care about others and empathize with others.

Consequences are like walking a mile in someone else's shoes. They allow us to understand how it feels to be treated the way we treated someone else in the past. This allows us to grow.

This is also why there is so much suffering in the world. Many ask, "if God exists, why is there so much suffering?". There is so much suffering because we commit activities that cause the suffering of others, and suffer the consequences as a result.

Our bodies are bound to suffer the same fate we have inflicted upon others. This may take place during our current physical body, or it may take place in the next physical body (which is why some children are born into tough situations).

The bottom line is that the world is conditional: Where we go is dependent upon what we do. How we treat others. It is not as if we can harm people all week and then go to some ceremony and drink some wine and stare at a cross and be relieved of the consequences, only to go back and keep doing those things.

To use the sacrifice of Jesus in such a way offends Jesus and God. This is why Jesus said:

“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will come to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:21-23)

Jesus calls them "evildoers" even though they were calling his name and even healing and teaching in Jesus' name.

Jesus' suffering can be purifying if we see the extent of Jesus' love for God and his commitment to God within this activity.

But this will not have much value if the person simply returns to their self-centered consciousness. Jesus' sacrifice was intended to show us that our relationship with the Supreme Being is more valuable than the life of the physical body.

Who or what will 'rise'?

Jesus' sacrifice and his appearance before his disciples after the death of his physical body was also meant to illustrate that we are not these physical bodies. We are the spirit-person within the physical body and we leave it at the time of death.

This is why Jesus uses the word "raised" here - translated from the Greek word ἐγείρω (egeirō) - meaning to "arouse" and "cause to rise."

What is rising? It is the life force - the living being who rises from the body at the time of death. This is what Jesus is referring to. (The Greek does not indicate the words "to live" in this verse - only "raised.")

And it is clear from the scriptures Jesus' physical body did not rise - rather, the spirit-person of Jesus rose out of the body that had been murdered. This is evidenced by the fact that Mary, Martha, and other close disciples of Jesus did not recognize him when he first appeared to them - on multiple occasions. If he had risen in his physical body, he would have been immediately recognized, especially by those who had been so close to him. Instead, we several verses indicating they didn't recognize him, such as this one regarding Mary:

... she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. (John 20:14)

Jesus confirmed this reality that he - nor we - are these physical bodies in his teachings:

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul." (Matt. 10:28)

Jesus devoted his life to teaching about the spiritual value of the living being within and the need for us to dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Being. This is because Jesus had a spiritual relationship with God - a relationship that existed beyond the physical dimension.

He loved God, and his sacrifice illustrated the extent of his love for God and his commitment to their relationship.

Jesus also instructed each of us to re-establish our loving relationship with the Supreme Being:

“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)