In Unexpected Ways

Matthew 17:24-27 (NKJV)
²⁴ 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?"
²⁵ 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?"
²⁶ Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.
²⁷ 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."

Jesus tells Peter that the temple tax does not apply to Him because the temple is His Father’s house. He includes Peter as a son, just as we are all included. The sons are free indeed. This is a gift of following Jesus.

Then Jesus tells Peter to do an odd thing. Peter is a fisherman by trade. He is told to go fish and the first fish he catches will have money in its mouth. What are we to make of that? There are probably many astute interpretations of the event. But what strikes me is that Jesus took Peter’s abilities and brought about something unexpected. He made something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Isn’t that what He does? We just have to believe and be willing to go fish.

He tells Peter the money will be “for Me and you.” I can’t help but think that this could be a picture of us being able to stand before God because we are in Christ. Jesus paid the ultimate price to reconcile us with God. Through His obedience He is glorified and we are saved. Does this not have echoes of the sign of Jonah that Jesus said would be the one sign given?