A Coin in a Fish's Mouth

In Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus provides for Peter a coin in a fish's mouth. This ranks up there with axe heads floating and donkeys talking to prophets.  

What was going on? A lot. More than meets the eye at first glance it turns out. 

Was Jesus teaching that His followers don't need to pay taxes? No. A little understanding of the situation irons out that crooked teaching. V. 24 deals with the temple tax, an annual voluntary payment used for upkeep and maintenance. It was a religious tax. V. 25 refers to civil taxes, which He Himself said His followers were to pay, rendering the things belonging to Caesar to Caesar. Who was exempt? Jesus was, as sons of Kings were. He is the King, the Son of God, whose temple it was. He ought not be required to pay what worshipers paid. 

What's with the coin in the fish's mouth?

Jesus was providing authoritatively for His people in a most dramatic and demonstrative way.  Instead of handing people a stater He had him get a hook, go fishing and wait for a bite. Jesus specifies the situation. He is to take the first fish he catches and do oral surgery, extracting the exact amount needed to pay the tax for Jesus the exempt one and Simon the non-exempt. Why? So as not to cause them offense. Amazing. The One who is the stone of stumbling and rock of offense doesn't want this to be the reason they stumble over Him. There would be ample, much bigger fish to fry in the coming days when He would go to the Cross. 

What does this teach us of Jesus?
He is all-knowing. 
He is all-powerful. 
He provides exactly what is needed in every situation. 
He is sovereign. 
He can and should be trusted and obeyed. 
He is humble and gentle in heart.
What other things can you think of?

How ought this to affect the way will live and serve God? 
Kindness and humility are to flavor our interactions. 
We need to simply trust His provision. 
We need to obey His commands and submit to His authority. 

Jesus loves you!