November 3 – A Strange Fish Story

Matthew 17:22-27

I remember going on a fishing trip with a group of friends from church a number of years ago. There were about six of us sitting or standing in the boat, fishing for Northern pike. We were using leeches and bobbers, and at one point, I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of six bobbers fighting for space all around the boat. Naturally, we were catching nothing.

Now, I’m not much of a fisherman, and I was getting a little bored, so I reeled in my line, and for fun, took off the leech and put a spinner lure on my line. I turned away from where everyone was fishing and cast my line as far as I could towards some weedy water, … a spot it seemed best to avoid. The second the lure hit the water, there was a splash and my line went under. A few moments later, I was pulling a pike into the boat.

Suddenly, everyone in the boat was asking what I had done, where I had cast, and what kind of lure I had used. A few moments later, the air was full of spinners flying towards the weeds.

I am sure that when Peter told his fish story of catching a fish with a coin in its mouth, at the direction of Jesus, there may have been a few others considering this new way to pay taxes.

What this story tells us, amongst other things, is that Jesus is sovereign over all, and that he cares for us and our needs in a very intimate way. I am sure that catching a fish , on a single line, with the necessary coin in its mouth must have overwhelmed Peter ( a professional fisherman) with the knowledge that Jesus Christ, Son of God, loved him – loves us – as individuals, and loves to affirm our faith by speaking to us in ways that are very personal … very reel.
He loves us all with that kind of personal intensity. I am sure we all have our own ‘strange fish stories’. Let’s be sure to share them.

Philippians 4:19 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.