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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Tuesday,
April 16, 2024
A
country pond
on Mount
Wilson Road in
Lebanon County
(Click to enlarge)
"Of
Fish And
Taxes"
Message
summary:
Jesus
makes a fish
provide a
four-drachma
coin, the
exact amount
of silver coin
needed, to pay
the temple
tax. This
miracle
reminds the
disciples that
He is indeed
the
all-powerful
Son of God who
controls all
creation,
including a
single fish.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours" (Matthew 17:27). "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7).
Catching fish and stories related to those who made a living from it were common in the gospels. Several of the disciples were fishermen; in fact, some of the great teachings and miracles of Jesus took place out on the lake or on a nearby shore. Jesus connected with the disciples and their livelihood by calling them out to be "fishers of men". There's even a great fishing story that took place between Christ's resurrection and His ascension.
Today's text indicates that Jesus paid taxes while He was on earth. Consider this reality: the Maker and Master of the universe was subjected to paying taxes just like we are. In this case it was the religious temple tax. But Jesus forthrightly taught, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Today's account is an unexplained miracle. We're not told how the first fish Peter caught would just happen to have the required tax amount stored in its mouth, an amount adequate to pay both Peter's and Jesus' tax.
It's that way with a lot of miracles. There's just no human explanation which is the definition of supernatural; forces or events that cannot be explained by science. Since we serve a miracle-working God, who is constantly working in the supernatural, I believe it.
Paul writes, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John writes concerning Christ, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3).
Instead
of reaching
deep into His
pocket or
pulling out
His wallet
Jesus uses a
fish to
provide a
four-drachma
coin, the
exact amount
of silver coin
needed to pay
the temple
tax. This
miracle
reminds the
disciples and
us that He is
indeed the
all-powerful
Son of God who
controls all
creation,
including a
single fish.
Here in the United States we are mindful of taxes especially now. After all, yesterday (April 15) was the last day to file our tax returns for 2024. How many of you waited till the last minute? Wouldn't you like to see the miracle of the fish repeated for all your taxes? Just get a fishing license (which is a type of tax), cast your line, and get the exact amount you need from the first fish you catch! If that works let me know; I might just purchase a fishing license.
But in the meantime hear Paul's simple command: "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7).
"But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours" (Matthew 17:27). "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7).
Catching fish and stories related to those who made a living from it were common in the gospels. Several of the disciples were fishermen; in fact, some of the great teachings and miracles of Jesus took place out on the lake or on a nearby shore. Jesus connected with the disciples and their livelihood by calling them out to be "fishers of men". There's even a great fishing story that took place between Christ's resurrection and His ascension.
Today's text indicates that Jesus paid taxes while He was on earth. Consider this reality: the Maker and Master of the universe was subjected to paying taxes just like we are. In this case it was the religious temple tax. But Jesus forthrightly taught, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).
Today's account is an unexplained miracle. We're not told how the first fish Peter caught would just happen to have the required tax amount stored in its mouth, an amount adequate to pay both Peter's and Jesus' tax.
It's that way with a lot of miracles. There's just no human explanation which is the definition of supernatural; forces or events that cannot be explained by science. Since we serve a miracle-working God, who is constantly working in the supernatural, I believe it.
Paul writes, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). The apostle John writes concerning Christ, "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3).
Instead
of reaching
deep into His
pocket or
pulling out
His wallet
Jesus uses a
fish to
provide a
four-drachma
coin, the
exact amount
of silver coin
needed to pay
the temple
tax. This
miracle
reminds the
disciples and
us that He is
indeed the
all-powerful
Son of God who
controls all
creation,
including a
single fish.Here in the United States we are mindful of taxes especially now. After all, yesterday (April 15) was the last day to file our tax returns for 2024. How many of you waited till the last minute? Wouldn't you like to see the miracle of the fish repeated for all your taxes? Just get a fishing license (which is a type of tax), cast your line, and get the exact amount you need from the first fish you catch! If that works let me know; I might just purchase a fishing license.
But in the meantime hear Paul's simple command: "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes" (Romans 13:7).
Be
encouraged
today,
Hebrews
3:13
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, our
citizenship
here on earth
brings about
numerous
responsibilities,
including that
of paying
taxes. As
citizens of
Your eternal
kingdom, some
of the ungodly
causes our
taxes help
support is a
troublesome
challenge to
our spirit so
we address
that through
prayer and
proper action
at the voting
booths, where
we can run for
office or vote
for officials
most aligned
with our
biblical
convictions.
Once again,
this tax
season, we
will dutifully
pay our taxes
as we render
unto Caesar
that which is
Caesar’s in
keeping with
our duties as
citizens.
Amen. Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental
Resources
"There
Is One Gospel"
Watch
on YouTube
CityAlight
Yesterday
I noticed a
bird was
building a
nest on top of
a fan under
our gazebo
which is
directly above
where we eat.
I had to
remove the
partially
completed nest
and hope she
can find a
more suitable
location.
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
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Weber
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Joy, PA 17552
To
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(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering to:
Stephen and
Brooksyne
Weber -
700001-237376
serving in
specialized
chaplaincy
(Daily
Encouragement
is our
endorsed
special
chaplaincy
ministry).Thank
you,
Stephen & Brooksyne
Stephen & Brooksyne
2024
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
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