Matthew 17:27 “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
This entire passage is full of the Miracles of the Master! The question is asked of Peter by those who collected the temple tax if Jesus payed His taxes. This sets in motion an amazing series of miraculous events.
Peter comes to bring the issue to Jesus, but Jesus already knows and has the situation under control. This is the miracle of Prescience. Jesus knows what is going on in our lives too, in fact He knows what is going on in all 8 billion people’s lives all the time. WOW Then the Bible gives us this funny insight, that Jesus “prevented” Peter or spoke before him. If you know anything about Peter he was always talking, so this is the miracle of Preeminence. Jesus is greater than anything and everything, even our hang-ups.
Jesus then gives Peter the oddest instructions: go the Sea of Galilee, cast in a fishing line with a hook and the first fish you catch will have the money for me and you, go pay both our temple taxes. This is two miracles: providence and provision. God sent Peter (and the fish) to the same spot at the same time and that fish had the exact coin needed to pay their taxes.
Jesus was demonstrating the entire time that no matter what – He Can! He can do anything and everything and take care of us because He Can!
God delights to do the impossible through the improbable for our good and His glory!
Robert Pophal | Pastor
Rose Park Baptist Church | Holland, MI
