By Pastor Doug Cox

While many in the world are focusing on pride during the month of June, I want to encourage the members of Crossroads to celebrate with humility the fact that God is our provision. Everything we need comes from Him, including the faith we need for salvation, the wisdom we need for the problems we face, strength to overcome temptation and peace of mind about who we are just to mention a few things.

An example of God’s provision is found in Matthew’s gospel chapter 17 verses 24-27. It reads, “When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

As I think about this story, I wonder what the encounter between Peter and the tax collectors was like. Was it tense or heated? Just because Peter gave a one word answer to the snarky question, (my opinion) doesn’t mean he wasn’t feeling some pressure as he walked into the house where Jesus was. Interestingly, before Peter could open his mouth and talk about the problem, Jesus started talking about the situation.

It had to have been maddening for the Jewish people to be under Roman rule and have these strangers demanding they pay taxes, that is everybody except for the Rabbi’s and Priests. As a Rabbi Jesus was tax exempt, but in this case He chose not to take advantage. He did not want to cause an unnecessary offense so He told Peter to go to the sea and put in a hook.

I don’t know for sure what Peter thought about this. His method was going out in a big boat to catch a haul of fish in a net, not sitting on the shore with a rod. I’m sure it was humbling for Peter to fish this way, yet He obeyed the Lord and because of that he found things happened just like Jesus said they would. There in the mouth of the fish was a coin that paid the tax bill for them both. It was provision through obedience.

Notice in verse 25 it says Jesus anticipated Peter coming into the house. The word anticipation carries the idea of anticipating and preventing. The point is Jesus knew what was going on. Jesus knew that even though Peter only had a one word response to the tax collectors, he would have plenty to say to Him about it, and they would be things that wouldn’t help the situation. So, Jesus started talking and instructing Peter before he could start ranting.

Below are some things that can be learned from this incident…

Have confidence that Jesus knows everything that is going on with us and cares.
Jesus knows how to direct us into blessings so follow instructions.
Understand that God didn’t counterfeit the money by creating a coin in the fish’s mouth. He knew a fish had swallowed the exact Roman coin that Peter needed and told Peter how to get it. How often do we miss the miracle because we expect God to do everything?
Don’t barge into the throne room of heaven and do all the talking about your problems. The Lord knows what they are. Worship Him first, praise Him for Who He is and go from there.
In the Presence of the Lord listen for instructions and be obedient to do things that are humbling.