A Fish and a Coin

 N.T.#209 "A Fish and a Coin"

Dec. 22, 2023 

Matthew 17-Part 12

LET IT GLOW 

Have you been fishing? When I was a child, my family liked to fish (and eat them, too). Most of the time it took a lot of patience to wait for a fish to come bait my wormy hook. They did not swallow the hook as soon as it hit the water. Today's Biblical event involves Peter fishing. Read on.

The disciples were greatly grieved when Jesus told them a second time that He would be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day. That was His purpose for coming to earth, to live a perfect , sinless life, to show us the way to live and love. Then the Son of man would do the spectacular and extraordinary and rise from the dead on the third day. Did you notice that Peter did not speak up this time? (verses 22-23)

What happened next?

The disciples and Jesus returned to Capernaum where Peter lived. The tax collectors approached Peter and asked if his teacher paid the temple tax. (verse 24) That was how the temple's upkeep was paid. It may have been another attempt to catch Jesus  at being a law-breaker. 

Then Jesus asked Peter where the kings got their taxes. It was from strangers, their subjects, not their sons. The children are free and don't pay taxes. 

It was Christ's temple. He had no sin to atone for. (Exodus 30:15) He was made sin for us; sent forth in the likeness of sinful flesh. (Romans 8:3) He paid for our sins, though Christ Himself had no sin. It became Him to fulfill all righteousness. (Matt. 3:15) He fulfilled all that God required.  Although the temple had become a den of thieves, Christ paid the tax.

We should pay our tithe so God in worship, as well in order to support the upkeep of the church. Are we being faithful? Especially during the Christmas season, whenever it may be hard to do financially. We must determine in our own heart we is expected of us.

As God's children, we are freed by grace and adoption from the slavery of sin and Satan, but not from our being subject to civil matters. (We are to pay our federal, state, and city taxes so they can continue to run.)

Let every soul be subject to higher powers. Render to Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus and His disciples were not working a job. So how did Christ Jesus pay His temple tax? Also, Jesus did not waiver His privilege of being the Son of God and not required to pay taxes for the temple. He did not want to offend them.

Did you notice that Jesus did not order Judas to pay the tax out of the money bag? Every male over 21 was expected to pay the temple tax.

So Jesus sent Peter to go fish and get the money out of the fish's mouth in order to pay the tax. Did Jesus put it there? I think so. I think it was specifically for that purpose. No coincidence in my books.

Now for Peter to catch a fish with just a line and hook-that was a miracle in my books, too. Do you realize how difficult that would have been if Jesus had not brought that specific fish to the hook? Ordinary chances would have taken hours. And did the coin fall out of a fisherman's pocket and lay on the bottom of the Sea of Galilee and that fish gobbled it up? Nah. I think it was a fish Jesus put their with the coin in its mouth.

Another thing, the coin was enough, the exact amount, for both Jesus and Peter to pay their temple tax. Isn't that like our Savior? He gives enough, sufficient, what is needed. Sometimes He even throws in extra for us. At any rate, do we give Him the glory? Do we share with others what Jesus has provided?

Was God preparing Peter to become a fisher of men?

LET IT GO

What an awesome God we serve!!

What can we give to You? Our heart to God's service and love and forgiveness to others.

Glory to God in the Highest!