Our Verse: Matthew 17:27 Jesus tells Peter, “We don't want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

This is one of my very favorite stories in the Bible. We are all curious about miracles. Some doubt they ever happen. But, in this story, Peter experiences one. So what is a miracle? Heres a definition- A miracle is an observable event that occurs outside the laws of physics. Peter's event matches this definition. More on miracles in future episodes.

One day Jesus and Peter took a walk. They discussed the importance of paying their taxes. Jesus explained that so as to not offend the local religious leaders, Peter should pay taxes for both of them. However the way Jesus told Peter to pay them was unique. He told Peter to go catch a fish! Say what? Jesus told told Peter to go fish for his taxes. He took a line and hook, caught a fish and opened it's mouth. And what do ya know...a coin in the fish!
You can imagine the shock for this poor fisherman!

There, in truly the most unlikely place in all Israel, was a coin equal to taxes for Jesus and Peter! We don't know the mechanism that Jesus used, but the result was a miracle!
Peter had earlier said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Jesus helped Peter's faith grow thru the coin in the fish!

There were many other ways that Jesus demonstrated that He truly was the Son of God. That day Peter was further convinced. We may not find a coin in the mouth of our trout or bass, but we know from this story and others in the Bible that God can easily work miracles. He will decide if you need one.