Jesus Christ took care of His followers - coin in the fish (Matthew 17 :24-27) by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Jesus Christ took care of His followers - coin in the fish (Matthew 17:24-27)

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce 

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music

When they came to Capernaum, those who take up the temple tax came to Peter and said, does not your teacher pay the temple tax? He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, what do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive custom or poll tax, from their sons or from strangers? And when he said, from strangers, Jesus said, to him, so then the sons are free. But that we do not stumble them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. And when you open its mouth, you will find a stater, take that and give it to them for Me and you. (Matthew 17:24-27)

 On the Mount of Transfiguration Peter heard the voice from heaven, which charged him to hear Christ (Matt.17:5). If he had still remembered that word, he would have referred the poll tax gatherers’ question to Christ to hear what He would say. But he answered instead of listening to what Christ would say. Peter had spoken presumptuously. Hence, the Lord stopped him and corrected him before he began to speak to Him. Jesus said, "what do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive custom or poll tax, from their sons or from strangers? And when he said, from strangers."

 The sons of kings are always free from paying custom or poll tax. The half-shekel was paid by God’s people for His temple. Since Christ was the Son of God, He was free from paying it. This was contrary to Peter’s answer concerning this matter. Peter had received the revelation concerning Christ’s being the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-17) and had seen the vision of the Son of God (v.6) Now, in application of what he had seen, he was put to the test by the poll tax gatherers’ question. He failed in his answer because he forgot the revelation that he had received and the vision that he had seen. He forgot that the Lord was the Son of God, who, as such, did not need to pay the poll tax for His Father’s house.

 After shutting Peter’s mouth, the Lord, as the New Testament Prophet, today’s Elijah, told him to go fishing and that in so doing he would find a stater. This prophecy was fulfilled. Peter was no doubt troubled that he had to go fishing and wait for a fish to appear with a stater.

 After convincing Peter that He did not need to pay the half-shekel, the Lord, as the New Testament Lawgiver, today’s Moses, commended Peter to pay it for Him. The Lord did this purposely to teach Peter that in God’s New Testament economy He is the unique One; neither Moses nor Elijah nor Peter nor anyone else has the position to speak or to give the command.

             While the Lord was correcting the teaching Peter, He took care of his need. This is always the Lord’s way in dealing with us.