27 However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.” – Matthew 17:27
If you like a good fishing story, then this is the scripture for you. We have all probably heard a fishing story before, they can sometimes be outlandish, with very little possible truth left in them, as the exaggerations seems to expand each time they are told. My best fishing story was the first time I went deep sea fishing. The weather was hot, the boat was crowded, but I did manage to catch a shortfin mako shark. It wasn’t the largest on the trip, but still had fun pulling it in. However, fun and exciting my catch was, I didn’t get to pay my taxes with it. We often use the phrase God will provide, but in this unusual story, Jesus shows to what lengths God’s provision can go.
The story starts out with a representative of the Jewish temple coming to Peter and asking him if Jesus pays his temple tax. The temple tax was to be paid by all Jewish men to support the upkeep of the temple building. It was a tax they paid once a year above and beyond their regular tithing. The temple was central to Jewish life. The representative is essentially asking if Jesus was a good Jew. Peter responds, “Yes, Jesus pays the tax.” Then Jesus asks Peter a question… “Who pays taxes? The king or the king’s people?” Jesus was teaching Peter a deeper truth, this was His house. Jesus is the King, but the people weren’t ready for this truth yet and Jesus didn’t want to offend them so He tells Peter how to pay the tax.
Makes us wonder how the coin go in the fish’s mouth in the first place. Maybe someone dropped it and the fish saw something shiny and tried to swallow it but it got stuck. Maybe Jesus was helping the fish out too?
Peter went and did what Jesus said. He didn’t hesitate. Maybe because he had seen Jesus do other things that didn’t quite make sense. Things like saying, “let down your nets” even though it was the wrong time of day, in the wrong place in the lake, and yet they catch so many fish the boats start sinking. In each of these miracle Peter witnessed, however, God or Jesus didn’t just make it happen. Peter had to do something for the miracle to happen.
Just like our faith needs nurturing, we have to put to action what God is asking us to do, put to action the work of the kingdom, and then we will see God providing along the way. God will make something happen, but we she do more than simply wait, we should be active in growing our faith through prayer, study, and worship, as we learn and give thanks in all circumstances, and God will do amazing things in and through us. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for our future.
Grace & Peace,
Sam