https://www.bible.com/events/49224585
Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
The Untold Jesus Stories- The Rich Fish
This is no ordinary fishing excursion. This is a miracle of God’s provision
Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”
Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.
This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.
Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Matthew 17:24-27
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, 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.”
Chapter 17 begins with the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up onto the mountain and Jesus’ appearance is literally transfigured right before their eyes.
After they come down from this mountaintop experience, they encounter a demon possessed boy- and Jesus miraculously heals him.
As chapter 17 unfolds, the cross is in view.
Matthew 17:24
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
The Tax in question was a religious tax collected from the people for the upkeep of the temple. It stems all the way back to the time of Moses in the book of Exodus.
Without thinking much about his answer, Peter affirms that Jesus would in fact pay that tax.
Matthew 17:25-26
“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
The temple was His father’s House, as the son- He was exempt from paying the tax.
Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah of his people, was absolutely free from the duty of paying the temple tax and all those who followed him shared in that exemption. But Peter already said they would pay, right? So, what now?
Matthew 17:27
“But so that we may not cause offense, 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.”
Scholars believe that the coin spit out by the fish as a Roman Stater. That means that that single coin was worth enough to pay for two peoples temple tax. In this miracle, Jesus provides for himself, AND for Peter.
This gives a prophetic and pointed picture that very soon on the cross Jesus would the ultimate price that His children could go free. But for now, this coin will do.
Jesus sets all of this in motion, miraculously puts a coin in a fishes mouth, will put the fish on Peter’s hook, sends this rough and tuff seaworthy guy to do the work- all to pay a tax they didn’t really owe.
Jesus is willing to do all of this miraculous work, he’s willing to send Peter out to the lake to do it- all so that they won’t cause an offense to the Jewish temple leaders.
The Greek word used here in verse 27 for “cause offense” is “skandalizo”. It carries the idea of offending someone or causing them to stumble. To put a snare or a trap in someone’s way. It can also mean to entice someone to sin or to fall away
To be sure, there were plenty of times that Jesus in declaring the truth about who he was as the Son of God, offended lots of religious leaders.
But that was over a foundational truth of his identity and mission. This tax was not worth it. His kingdom work was far more valuable in these moments than a silly coin.
What does that say about how WE should live our lives?
If Jesus was willing to do the miraculous, should we at least be willing to do the ordinary not to cause offense?
As we conclude today, I want to focus on the area of God’s provision.
We see Jesus’ power and ability to do things we cannot conceive or imagine to provide for his children.
Friends, just like our teaching text, God still provides miraculously for his people.
Will you seek him for the provision you need in your life today?
Updates on the new Waynesboro campus
God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!
Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.
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