The Coin In the Fish's Mouth

By Mary Vee
Mark 9, Matthew 17, Luke 9

Peter

Sea of Galilee shore at
Capernaum. Photo by Mary Vee

I am a disciple of Jesus.

We walked with Jesus through Galilee. He led us on a route that kept us away from where the crowds typically gathered. He said He wanted to spend time teaching only us.

He stopped in a place where we could all face Him and sat on the ground. 

Jesus said, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."

He'd said a similar message to us before. We didn't understand it then. I'm sad to say that even with the time we've spent under his training, we still didn't understand the message. 

He was a leader who could save us. 

I think we all were afraid to ask him about it. Not that he would be cruel, but that he would be disappointed in us.

We walked farther, on to Capernaum where my home is, which explains why the tax collectors of the two-drachma tax came to me and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"

"Yes," I answered. "He does. It will be taken care of."

When I walked into the house, Jesus spoke before I had a chance to tell him what had happened. 

"What do you think, Simon?" Jesus sometimes called me Simon. "Who do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes? From their own sons or from others?"

"From others," I answered.

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said. "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

I did as Jesus said. I went down to the lake and threw in my line. It didn't take more than a breath before the line jiggled. I opened the mouth of the first fish. My surprise at finding a four-drachma coin was not that I doubted Jesus' words, but because it was amazing to see God's provision. I took the coin and delivered it to the tax collectors as Jesus said.

I don't think I will ever not be amazed at miracles that Jesus does. It stirs a happy sensation that makes me want to praise Him all the more. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.