Petty Miracles – Matthew 17:22-27

I came across a cool little video about the Small Miracles Group. They decided that they would each save a dollar a day and then come together periodically to decide how to use that money they had saved. They had a theme Scripture, Proverbs 19:17, Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. (ESV) They have found wonderful ways to help people and seen lives changed through their efforts. They have seen what they call small miracles.

Jesus does a small miracle for Peter and it no doubt had a profound impact on him.

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast 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 me and for yourself.” (Matthew 17:22-27 ESV)

It is hard to imagine being told, again, by your rabbi and Lord, that he is going to be “delivered” (a hint that he will be betrayed by someone?) into the hands of men, killed, and raised the third day.  It says they were greatly distressed, even though Jesus told them he would be raised on the third day.  To be sure, all that is still distressing, but that last part would seem to take some of the sting out of that tragic first part.  Yet it doesn’t seem to penetrate their understanding.  But if Peter needs a reminder of just who Jesus is, he gets it upon the accident of being challenged about the annual two-drachma tax for the temple.

Jesus has just prophesied about his death and resurrection.  Now he tells Peter indirectly that he knows what Peter was just challenged about and helps him think through what is coming in future days.  Of course kings don’t get their taxes from their sons, but from others.  Jesus is the Son of the King, as Peter has just confessed (16:13-20), whose temple they worship at, and should not be required to pay the tax.  Jesus is the sovereign ruler of the universe. That is what he is saying. But to insist on this would indeed cause offense and likely speed up his arrest and death.  So Jesus prophesies that a coin will be found in the first fish Peter catches and will satisfy the tax for both of them. 

God is able to provide all we need, even in the most miraculous of ways.  Do we see him that way? Do you feel funny asking for “petty” miracles? “Lord, I need a parking space,” or “Lord, can You help me a good nap?” Jesus doesn’t seem put out at all to do something like that for Peter. Why not us?