That We May Not Offend

Despite the orders of many State governors, some churches are considering ignoring social distancing of no more than 10 people and reopening their church. While I understand wanting to get back to worship, this rebellious attitude does not come from the Lord, but from man’s desires. In Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples were confronted by tax collectors who asked them about paying the temple tax. The NIV Study Bible notes that Jesus and his disciples, because they belonged to God’s royal household, could have avoided paying the tax. However, Jesus chose not to cause offense. Jesus said to Peter, “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” (Matthew 17:27 NIV). It’s unfortunate that churches would choose to offend the secular world, rather than comply.