Just Let Me Love You!

Today’s Reading: Matthew 17:24-27

Well to say the least this little story is pretty unique to me---a little different than the other things that Jesus had been telling the disciples to do. I have read it several times trying to see what Jesus is trying to tell us in these 4 scriptures.

Once again there were people, this time the tax collectors, who were doing everything in their power to find fault with Jesus. What is interesting is that Jesus is showing who is in complete control by addressing Peter before he even has a chance to tell Jesus what happened. Jesus already knew the questions that were asked of Peter, but more importantly he knew the answer to the question---just as he has the answer to all of our questions. Jesus knew that how the tax collectors operated was not a balanced and fair system---everyone did not have to pay, that some, according to who they were did not have to pay taxes. Not so different than how things operate today, huh?

When questioned about paying his taxes, what did Jesus do? He paid them. What is unique to me is that he told Peter to go catch a fish and he would find the money to pay the taxes in the mouth of his first catch. Now why did Jesus do it this way? Once again there is no real research behind my thoughts, but I do pray before I read and ask God to open my eyes, my mind, and my heart in order to understand his word---so while I may not have a deep theological background I do seek God for my words. So with that said I think Jesus was once again making a point with his directions---he was saying there will always be things, particular laws of the land, that we will not always agree with, but sometimes we just have to abide by some man-made laws, however, we should never let them worry us. I think Jesus told Peter to get the coin out of the fish’s mouth to prove once again that he will provide for everything and sometimes that provision will come in ways we could have never imagined.

We can never, ever forget that Jesus knows all---even our questions before we even ask, and he will provide for our every need, no matter the case. He is it---there is nothing else. Even when we have to deal with the persecution of others, the accusations that are unfounded, the worries of this world---we have to know that we know that we have a Savior who not only saves us from our sins and from hell, but one who loves us so much that he saves us from our day-to-day problems. He simply loves us and wants to take care of us. In closing I would like to share the testimony of this lady that I heard over the weekend, she said she was really praying and asking God to give her what she needed, what ever that may be, that she just desired to get what he had for her and God spoke very clearly to her and said just let me love you! How powerful, but isn’t that what God is telling us with every word he speaks? Just let me love you!