40 Days of MiraclesPrimjer

Miraculous Temple Tax in a Fish's Mouth

Should a son pay to be in his father’s house? The question is meant to be ridiculous and rhetorical when Jesus asks it of Peter. The answer is obvious: of course not, but this miracle shows that humility and dependence upon God are of greater importance than anyone’s privileged access. No matter our needs, God will meet them, even through miraculous means sometimes.

However, He may ask us to adopt an attitude similar to that of His humble Son (see Matthew 11:29). Consider Peter, a professional fisherman who used sophisticated netting techniques to catch multitudes of fish daily, was instructed to cast a line like a ranked amateur and haul in only one: a humble catch with sufficient means for only the moment.

Questions for Reflection

• What do you need God to do for you in a well-defined moment?
• Where might you need to set aside a sense of entitlement to humbly invite God into a space where you need His provision?
• How does this miraculous provision encourage you?
• How does it instruct you about the character of God revealed in Jesus?