Scripture

“However we don’t want to offend them. 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.”

Observation

In Capernaum the collectors of the temple tax Come and ask Peter, “Doesn’t your teacher pay, the temple tax?” Peter replies that he does.

Jesus asks Peter do the citizens, pay taxes or the conquered subjects? Peter says that it is the foreigners who pay the tax.

Jesus says, as citizens of Israel, they are free. But then He tells Peter to go to the lake, throw in a line and the first fish he catches will have a silver coin in its mouth for the tax.

Application

No doubt those who call themselves sovereign citizens. might look at verse 26, where Jesus says

“Well then the citizens are free” as justification for their beliefs, that they should not have to pay taxes and other government fees.

Jesus says here that we don’t have to pay the tax (In fact, Jesus was exempt from the temple tax because he was a rabbi) but we should pay it anyway to avoid giving offence.

In modern societies, where taxes fund a large amount of infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools, christians have a moral duty to contribute to the goods and services that they consume.

Jesus says, “Let’s pay the tax but we might as well have some fun doing it.” And so he sends Peter fishing for the money, which is awesome.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we don’t enjoy paying taxes. Please help me to joyfully render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. Amen.

Scripture

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith, even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. “

Observation

The disciples who had been with Jesus on the mountain asked why the teachers said that Elijah must return. Jesus tells him that Elijah had already been there with them. They realise that He was talking about John the Baptist.

At the foot of the mountain, a main comes and asks Jesus to heal his son. Jesus rebukes the disciples who had been unable to heal the boy. He then commands the demon to leave.

When the disciples ask Him why they could not remove the demon, He says that they did not have faith. Just a mustard seed of faith could command a mountain to move.

Application

Just a tiny faith overcomes Satan moves mountains and raises the dead.

What does this say about the western church that we are unable to see these things come to pass?

This is not about saving faith, the knowledge that Jesus’ death has set us free from sin and its penalty.

This faith is a deep faith that comes from a close walk with God. We hear the Holy Spirit commanding us to pray, then we pray with confidence and assurance that God really is with us.

When, you know the Lord, nothing is impossible for God.

But how do we get there?

1. Read the Bible, meditatively and prayerfully. Ask the Spirit to reveal the meaning of the text.

2. Listening prayer. Don’t just talk to God with endless requests. Listen to Him. Listen for that small still voice.

3.. When He speaks do what He tells you.

Prayer

Hallelujah! God, you are alive and active. Please give me faith to trust you. Amen.

Scripture

Now, I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘Rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of Hell will not conquer it.

Observation

Jesus asks the disciples who people say that he is. They answer, John the Baptist, Elijah or some prophet. Then Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replies that Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus tells Peter that this is from the Father. From now on Simon Peter will be known as Peter, the Rock. Jesus will establish His church and the power of hell will not overcome it.

Jesus then begins to tell His disciples that He will suffer many terrible things. Peter rebukes Jesus for this. Jesus tells him, “Get away from me, Satan. You are seeing things from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Application

How quickly Peter goes from being “the rock” on which the church is founded to “Satan.” This, of course, is our common experience. We can be full on for God one day and sin terribly, the next.

Our sins don’t define our identity, and they don’t end our calling in Christ. Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah was was the rock on which the church was built. This calling was so certain that it did not falter when Peter slipped up.

The powers of hell cannot overwhelm the church, nor the individual christian. When we come to Christ, we connect to the greater power. Nothing, not even, Satan and the legion of demons can destroy us or our faith.

For nearly 2 000 years, the church has been steadily advancing and overcoming the powers of hell.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, nothing can overcome you. Thank you that the victory is yours. Amen.

Scripture

Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but the deceptive teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Observation

The Pharisees and Sadducees come to Jesus demanding a sign to prove His authority. Jesus tells them that they know how to predict the weather from the signs in the sky, but they don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times. The only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah.

Later, Jesus tells His disciples to be aware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples think he’s talking about bread. Jesus reminds them of the feeding miracles. and then they understand that He was talking about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Application

Whereas the Old Covenant was about physical signs, such as animal sacrifices, a temple, a land, the New Covenant is a spiritual reality. We are the temple. We are the living sacrifices.

The disciples were tripped up by thinking physically, when Jesus wanted them to think spiritually.

Many christians make similar mistakes. The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees must have included legalism and keeping rules. Many christians judge others and themselves according to outward behaviour, but God looks at the heart.

Some want to observe the Old Testament feasts, forgetting that the feasts are all fulfilled in Christ. Why would we observe the Old Testament Pentecost when the reality of the Holy Spirit is already in us?

We are the children of the Living God, regardless of whether we follow the law or not. The only thing that matters is our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Thank you, Father for your everlasting love. Amen

Scripture

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Observation

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples in a boat across the lake. He dismisses the crowd and goes to the hills to pray.

A strong wind arises on the lake. Jesus comes walking across the water at about three o’clock in the morning. Thinking that He is a ghost, the disciples are terrified. Jesus tells them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”

Peter calls out to Jesus, “Lord if it is you, command me to come to you walking on the water.” Jesus does this, and Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water.

Jesus and the disciples land at Gennesaret. Word of his arrival spreads quickly. People come from all over the region, bringing sick people to be healed.

Application

The disciples were scared for their lives on the lake in the middle of a storm. Seeing a ghostly figure approaching them on the water terrified them even more.

At different points in our lives, we can be filled with fear, anxiety, insecurity or terror. If we let them, Jesus’s words, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here!” can bring amazing peace into our hearts.

Jesus is always with us. He promised he would never leave us nor abandon us. That means we can face any situation, any challenge, even death itself, with courage.

This is more than the stiff upper lip form of soldiering on in adversity. Jesus promises to take away the terror and to enable us to face our ordeals with peace, calmness and serenity.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the peace that passes all understanding when I put my trust in you. Amen.

Scripture

About five thousand men were fed that day in addition to all the women and children.

Observation

When Jesus hears the news about John’s death, He goes off to a remote place to be alone. The crowds follow Him, so He has compassion and heals the sick people.

As evening approaches, the disciples tell Jesus, to send the people away so they can go and get food. Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd.

The disciples report that they only have five loaves and two fish. Jesus takes them and gives thanks, then gives it to the disciples to distribute.

Everyone has sufficient. And there are twelve baskets of leftovers.

Five thousand men plus, women and children are fed.

Observation

When God is at work, He takes our meagre resources and turns them into more than enough.

When we are walking in God’s ways, seeking to do His will, there is always enough.

Bills get paid. People get fed. There is enough left over for us to be generous.

People have tried to explain away this miracle. Only Jesus can take one person’s lunch and make it enough to share and have even more left over than what you start with.

The key to the miracle is this: the disciples gave the little they had to Jesus, and then trusted Him to do something with it.

When we surrender what we have and put our trust in Jesus miracles take place.

Prayer

You are a miracle working God, Lord Jesus. Please help me to trust you for every need. Amen