Words from the Rock
The children get off free, right? But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.
Matthew 17:26–27 Message
Jesus has just been questioned about whether or not he and his disciples paid taxes. Ironically, taxes back then were just as much of a pain (maybe more so) as taxes nowadays. In fact, most of the tax collectors were crooks who took more money than was owed.
Jesus answers the question with a question. He reminds the tax collectors that in their country, only the foreigners were supposed to pay taxes, not the locals like Jesus and his disciples. While this was essentially true, it’s not how things were being done. The locals were being taxed to the hilt, and there was no way to stop it.
After Jesus makes his point that these taxes were unfair, he then says he doesn’t want to make trouble. So he tells a disciple to run down to the lake and catch a fish. Now that probably seems an odd response to paying taxes, but you can almost imagine the twinkle in Jesus’s eye as he adds, “Open that fish’s mouth and you’ll find a coin inside, which will be enough to pay our taxes.” Sure enough, that’s what happens.
Jesus’s point in this “transaction” seems threefold. First, he makes it clear that these taxes aren’t fair. In fact, there are many things in life that aren’t fair. Secondly, he says it’s not worth it to get in a fight over taxes. It was no big deal. And why was that? That’s the third point, where the fish comes in—Jesus knows that God will provide, and we should trust God to give us what we need more than we should worry about unfair taxes.
My Prayer
Dear God,
Teach me to trust in you for all things. Even when life’s not fair, help me to believe you’re watching out for me.
Amen.
Final Word
If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
Job 36:11 NIV
Stone for the Journey
Life’s not fair, but God makes up for it.