The Mystery of Taxation in the Life of Jesus: How God Uses Earthly Systems to Fulfill His Divine Purposes
By Dr Joel Dabbas
Beloved, I want you to open your spirit to a profound mystery today—the mystery of taxation in the life of Jesus. When you look at the stories of taxes, you might think they're just mundane, earthly matters we have to deal with. But there’s a deeper, divine narrative hidden in these very earthly systems that speaks directly to how God works in and through the systems of the world to fulfill His purposes. I pray that as we examine the life of Jesus and His interactions with taxes, your understanding of God’s sovereignty over the earth will be revolutionized.
1. The Birth of Jesus and Caesar Augustus's Decree
In Luke 2:1-7, we encounter a moment in history that is much more than a simple census—it is the sovereign plan of God being fulfilled through the decrees of a pagan emperor. Caesar Augustus, the most powerful man in the Roman Empire, decreed that all the world should be taxed. This simple political move forced Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem, the city where the Messiah had to be born according to prophecy in Micah 5:2.
Listen carefully, this is where the mystery begins—God allowed a pagan king’s decree to fulfill a divine prophecy. This decree, designed purely for worldly and political purposes, was actually used to accomplish God’s eternal plan. Augustus, in all his imperial might, did not know that his actions were being used by God to bring about the birth of the Savior of the world.
Here’s what I want you to understand: God is never taken by surprise by earthly governments or political systems. He is sovereign over all, and He works in ways that transcend human understanding. This was no ordinary tax decree—it was the vehicle God chose to fulfill His plan for the salvation of mankind. When you look at this, I want you to see that God is not just working in spite of earthly systems—He is using them to bring His purposes to pass! Even taxes—something many despise—become a channel through which God's will is accomplished.
2. Jesus and the Temple Tax (Matthew 17:24-27)
Now, let’s move to another moment in the life of Jesus, one that highlights His relationship with earthly authority. In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus is approached with a question about paying the temple tax. Jesus, the Son of God, the King of the Kingdom of Heaven, did not owe this tax. The temple belonged to Him, yet He still chose to submit to the system. This is a powerful moment of humility and wisdom.
Notice, He didn’t resist or reject the tax. He didn’t demand His exemption—He submitted to the system to make a profound point. Jesus is not bound by the systems of the world, yet He chooses to engage with them. And in this very submission, He reveals the higher authority that governs all systems.
Here’s the deep revelation: Jesus was not a rebel against the systems of the world; He came to show us how to transcend them. His submission was not a denial of His authority but a demonstration that even in submitting to earthly authority, He remained the King of all creation. The miracle of the coin in the fish’s mouth wasn’t just a provision for the tax—it was a declaration that even the laws of nature and creation must bow to God’s will.
Jesus didn't need the coin to pay the tax; He didn’t need to submit to earthly rules. But He did it, so that the purposes of God would not be hindered by temporary, earthly systems. This is the wisdom of the Kingdom—you can engage with earthly systems without being controlled by them. He showed us how to honor earthly systems without being enslaved to them.
Connecting the Two: A Deeper Mystery
When you look at both of these events—the taxation at Jesus’ birth and the temple tax—what you are seeing is a demonstration of God’s sovereignty over earthly authorities and systems. These events are not disconnected; they reveal something deeper about the Kingdom of God:
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God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Systems: In both instances, God used secular authorities—whether it was Caesar Augustus or the temple leaders—to fulfill His eternal plan. What looks like a worldly maneuver, a political decree, or a tax obligation, is actually part of God’s grand design. This should remind you, beloved, that God’s purpose will always prevail, no matter how it appears on the surface. The authorities and systems of this world, though temporary, are still subject to the will of God.
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Jesus, the King Who Submits: The most profound truth here is the paradox of Jesus' kingship. He is the King of all, yet He humbly submits to the systems of this world. His submission is not weakness; it is a strategic demonstration of His true authority. Submission in the Kingdom of God does not equate to weakness—it is a position of power. When Jesus submits to the tax, He is showing that even in submission, His dominion is unshaken. He is the King of a different Kingdom, but He chooses to engage with the world’s systems in a way that reveals His sovereignty.
God Uses Governments to Fulfill His Will
I want you to understand something profound, beloved—God is not limited by earthly governments. He works through them, even in ways that don’t make sense to us. Whether it's through an empire like Rome or the religious systems of Israel, God uses governments and earthly policies to fulfill His will. In the Old Testament, God used kings like Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His purposes. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul used the Roman legal system to advance the gospel. God’s hand is not bound by any earthly authority, and He can use every system to bring His Kingdom to pass.
The Psalm 2 revelation is clear—the kings of the earth may rage against God, but God will laugh at their attempts to stop His plan. Why? Because no earthly system, no matter how strong, can thwart God’s eternal purposes. In the same way, the taxes that seemed so political, so mundane, were part of God’s design to fulfill His divine mission. God is using even the systems we think are against us to bring about His greater purposes.
Trust and Responsibility
Now, hear this—God is in control of all things, even the governments and systems of the earth. This brings comfort and challenge. The comfort is this: God is sovereign, and even when it seems like the world is spinning out of control, He is in control. But the challenge is this: We are called to engage with the world, not to withdraw from it. You are in the world, but not of it. You are called to interact with the systems of this world in a way that reflects the Kingdom of God. You are called to partner with God’s sovereign plan, to be His agent in the earth, to work in the midst of systems that may seem contrary to His will, but to do so with the confidence that God is still working through them to fulfill His eternal purposes.
Beloved, God is always working. Even when you don’t see it, even when it feels like earthly systems are failing, God is working through them. Taxes, laws, and governments are all part of His divine orchestration. Trust Him, submit to His wisdom, and know that His purposes will always prevail. He is the King of all, and He rules over every system, every power. His Kingdom will come, and His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
For a deeper exploration of how God uses earthly systems, including taxes, in His eternal plan, check out God’s Playbook: The Divine Purpose of Taxes
