Christian prudence and humility teach us, in many cases, to recede from our right, rather than give offense by insisting upon it. We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offense--but we must sometimes deny ourselves in that which is our secular interest, rather than give offense.
The power of Christ, in fetching money out of a fish's mouth for this purpose. Whether His omnipotence put it there, or His omniscience knew that it was there, it comes all to one; it was an evidence of His divinity, and that He is Lord of hosts.
Those creatures that are most remote from man are at the command of Christ, even the fishes of the sea are under His feet; and to evidence His dominion in this lower world, and to accommodate Himself to His present state humiliation, He chose to take it out of a fish's mouth, when He could have taken it out of an angel's hand.
(1) Peter must catch the fish by angling. Even in miracles He would use means to encourage industry and endeavour. Peter has something to do, and it is in the way of his own calling too; to teach us diligence in the employment we are called to and called in. Do we expect that Christ should give to us? Let us be ready to work for Him.
(2) The fish came up, with money in the mouth of it, which represents to us the reward of obedience in obedience. What work we do at Christ's command brings its own pay along with it. In keeping God's commands, as well as after keeping them, there is great reward. Peter was made a fisher of men, and those that he caught thus, came up; where the heart is opened to entertain Christ's Word, the hand is open to encourage ministers.
(3) The piece of money was just enough to pay the tax for Christ and Peter. Christ could as easily have commanded a bag of money as a piece of money; but He would teach us not to covet superfluities, but, having enough for our present occasions, therewith to be content, and not distrust God, though we live but from hand to mouth.
Christ made the fish His cash-keeper; and why may not we make God's providence our storehouse and treasury?
What Christ paid for Himself was looked upon as a debt; what He paid for Peter was a courtesy to him. It is a desirable thing, if God so please, to have wherewithal of this world's goods, not only to be just, but to be kind, not only to be charitable to the poor, but obliging to our friends. What is a great estate good for, but that it enables a man to do so much the more good? (Matthew Henry)
Just a little story within a chapter. Taxes were due, Christ had no money so He told Peter to go fishing. Peter found the coin inside the fish. I really gained a lot of insight from this one verse.
* We don't always have the "right" to express our secular views, if in doing so, we will alienate someone for Christ. I'm talking politics.
*Christ will attend to our needs by means we might not know exist.
*Christ is the creator of all things.
*As Christians, we are expected to work for Christ--no slackers in His kingdom.
*Be content with what you have.
*Be kind to people and always look for ways to help someone.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
I've started another blog that is devoted strictly to getting healthier. If you would like to visit go to:
http://www.finallyfitforfifty.blogspot.com/
I've started another blog that is devoted strictly to getting healthier. If you would like to visit go to:
http://www.finallyfitforfifty.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment