Jesus Knows Where the Goodies Are.

In Matthew 17:24 Peter was confronted

by the temple-tax collectors.

The tax was 2 drachma.

The collectors said to Peter.

"How about your Teacher?

Does He pay the temple-tax?"

Peter just blurts out "Yep, He sure does!"

Peter hadn't consulted the Lord before he volunteered

His money.

But Jesus in gracious fashion talks to Peter about the subject,

gives Peter an illustration and then does something

really unusual. Even for Jesus.

He tells Peter to go to the lake, cast out a line and the first fish

he catches, open its mouth and look inside.

There will be 4 drachma in it's mouth.

Peter is to pay Jesus tax and his.

I LOVE THIS STORY!

Jesus, as always, was filled with grace toward others.

He could have rebuked Peter for speaking out of turn

and really scolded him for not consulting Him first.

But instead he offers him grace and pays his debt.

Sound familiar?

Secondly.

Something else I love about this account.

Jesus knows where all the goodies are.

Nothing is hidden from Him.

He knows what we need.

And when we ask, He knows right where to find it.

When we think of "nothing hidden from Him"

we usually talk about sin. That's true.

But since we have been made right (righteous)

by his finished work on the cross, we get to enjoy

the grace side of "nothing hidden".

It's ok to ask.

He delights in us.

And when you ask, have the confidence that

Jesus knows exactly where to find what you are asking for.

RP