However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and me.

- Matthew 17:27

As always, the tax man wants his “share,” and though He could argue an exemption, this sort of bickering would interfere with Jesus’s mission. He therefore tells Peter to go catch a fish, which will miraculously have a coin in its mouth. This coin is to be used to pay the tax for both Jesus and Peter.

So, what’s the miracle?

Does Jesus magically make this coin appear from nothing as Peter catches the fish? Or did He create the whole fish, placing it right onto Peter’s hook? I think it’s a lot simpler, yet infinitely more complicated, than snapping one’s fingers and making things materialize.

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

                                                                                                                              1 Samuel 17:36,37

David’s going to kill the Philistine. There’s no doubt in his mind, but his confidence comes from a strange source in the light of our modern times. Athletes of today, heroes to millions, go at it a bit differently, don’t they?

Imagine David the golfer…

Scripture

“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’”  - Luke 11:24

Scripture

“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”  - Luke 9:44