| There are two stories that I can't separate and | | | | first calls Simon Peter. Jesus is teaching the people |
| need to share about together. The first is an | | | | by a lake and gets into Simon Peter's fishing boat |
| incredible story in found in Matthew 17: 24 -26 | | | | (whom he doesn't know but he gets in Simon's |
| regarding paying taxes. The gist of the story is | | | | boat while he is washing his fishing nets.) Jesus |
| that when Peter and Jesus enter Capernaum, the | | | | asks Simon to pull away from the shore and |
| tax collectors ask Peter if Jesus pays the temple | | | | continues to teach the people. When he finished |
| tax. When Peter and Jesus enter the house, Jesus | | | | speaking he tells Simon to put out into deep |
| speaks first and asks Peter a question "From | | | | water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon |
| whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and | | | | answers that they've worked all night and not |
| taxes - from their own sons or from others?" | | | | caught anything but that because Jesus says so, |
| Peter replies, "from others." Jesus then says, | | | | he will let down the nets. |
| "Then the sons are exempt, but so that we may | | | | When he does the catch is so large that the nets |
| not offend them, go to the lake and throw out | | | | began to break. Others come to help and the |
| your line. Take the first fish you catch; open it's | | | | catch is so large it fills two boats that almost sink |
| mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take | | | | as they are so full. Simon Peter is astonished at |
| it and give it to them for my tax and yours." | | | | the results and falls to his knees for he is aware |
| I love this story and there are a few things that | | | | of his own sin and that he is in the presence of |
| jump out at me: | | | | God. Jesus says "don't be afraid, from now on |
| 1. the tax collectors ask Peter, but Jesus raises | | | | you will catch men." |
| the issue with Peter when they enter the house, | | | | These two stories are so powerful and I'm |
| Jesus wasn't part of the conversation with the | | | | amazed at what we learn. What strikes me from |
| collectors but he knew what was discussed. | | | | the second story is: |
| 2. Jesus gives Peter very specific instructions and | | | | 1. Simon does what Jesus says even though he is |
| it's about something he does for a living - Peter is | | | | tired and about to finish his day, however he |
| a fisherman and the odds of doing what Jesus | | | | listens to Jesus and is abundantly rewarded. |
| tells him to do are impossible but Peter doesn't | | | | 2. In the presence of Jesus, and the miracle |
| doubt he just goes ahead and follows Jesus | | | | performed he humbles himself and is immediately |
| instruction. | | | | aware of his own sin, but Jesus extends grace |
| 3. Peter's obedience and faith are rewarded and | | | | 3. Despite hauling in the biggest catch of his life, |
| both his and Jesus' needs are met to pay the | | | | he leaves it all behind to follow Jesus. |
| temple tax. | | | | 4. The temple tax story happens later and I love |
| When I read this a few weeks ago, I was | | | | how Jesus provides for Simon's needs because |
| immediately reminded of the story found later in | | | | Simon laid everything down for Jesus. |
| the bible in the book of Luke 5: 1-11 when Jesus | | | | |