Miracles of Jesus - Miraculous provision of tribute

The Temple Tax

Matthew 17:24-27

King James Version (KJV)

24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

The Miraculous provision of tribute teaches us the lessons for our lives:

Jesus lived a simple life and he followed the laws and he stood as an example for all of us. In this miracle also there was an opportunity for him to demonstrate what it means to follow the rules set by the local authority or Governing bodies.

Jesus perceived what the custom members questioned:

Most of the people at Jesus' time would like to question and doubt that if he is the Son of God or not. They tried to find opportunities to defeat him either through law or customs. Following on Sabbath days, Payment of Taxes, Forgiving of Sins. Etc., Here in the above miracle also, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

And also we have to note that these members asked Simon instead of Jesus. In the later chapter, i.e chapter 22 when the pharisees ask the question of paying Tax, they question directly to Jesus and Jesus responds appropriately. 

Matthew 22:17-21

King James Version (KJV)

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

On taking custom or tribute:

Once Jesus perceive the question of the custom members. He asks Simon a question. 

Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

This question gives us a clear picture of Jesus' quality of thought. Jesus asks Simon what thinkest thou, Simon - Giving a clear picture of what Simon think of that particular aspect of paying custom. He then asks the question with two choices - of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Why Should Jesus ask Simon the question:

Simon is spontaneous and he answers very perfectly, In Matthew 16th chapter

Matthew 16:13-20

King James Version (KJV)

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Even in the above miracle Simon answers correctly, 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus adds Then are the children free.

No one should be offended:

Jesus was concerned about others, Just after peter said the answer.

26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

Jesus says 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them,

The miracle of the Money in the fish mouth:

go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

The miracle teaches us the things that are needed to be done in the process of miracle and after.

Go thou to the sea - Take up the initiative of going out to take up the responsibility. This can be related to going out to find new opportunities, Jobs, helping others, to the place where you can perform better, where you have the perfect picture about future.

Cast an hook - Represents use the right devices to get the job done, the resources used for an occupation, the available resources for any work to be taken first and it should be used properly.

Take up the fish - Get the reward, When you the right timing and right opportunity, you will have the right return. 

Galatians 6:7 NIV

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Matthew 25:40"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

First cometh up - The significance of the First, Matthew 6:33(KJV)

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money - Reward comes with a price. A value that could be used for. It costs something for the hard work anybody does.

Give unto them for me and thee. - Use the resource that you get. Jesus said give unto them for me and thee, He gave it for Simon also, for he knew Simon obeyed his words, he trusted in his words and moreover he answered correctly.

This miracle is a unique one which directly benefits Jesus and his disciple. Almost all the other miracles Jesus helps others or heals the sick, etc. This miracle has happened to show that the law is not greater than God. In the old testament when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his only son, God saw the faith of Abraham. Hence God did a miracle to Abraham, and behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 

As the Word of God says : These least things of paying taxes or doing our duties should be followed, 

Matthew 5:19 NIV
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

James 2:10 ASV
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one [point], he is become guilty of all.

HAVE A GREAT AND BLESSED DAY AHEAD