Today’s scripture: Matthew 17:24-27 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
This story cracks me up! I can’t take it seriously! Am I supposed to really believe that Jesus used some sort of “Holy Magic” to conjure a coin in the mouth of the fish that Peter would catch? It makes me think of a magician at a kid’s birthday party, pulling coins out of ears and scarves out of sleeves.
The point Jesus makes about not offending is well taken, and I believe Peter got the point. So why add the crazy fish story? I can’t think of any good reason other than to make everyone chuckle! I get several chuckles from this scripture.
- Perhaps Jesus was playing a prank on Peter. I imagine Jesus laughing to himself as he sent Peter on this silly fishing trip!
- I LOL when I think of Peter looking in the mouth of the fish for a coin! How embarrassing it must have been to tell the other fisher-people he was fishing for a big mouth bass with a big coin!
- I smirk when I think of the look on Peter’s face when he found the coin!
The bottom line for me is this scripture reminds me to have fun, to take a moment to laugh and let go! So today, I will spray my kids with the hose and laugh as they scream! (Hope that doesn’t make me a bad mama.) I’ll tell them Jesus told me to do it, because I do think Jesus wants us to laugh and have fun!
Thought for the day: What am I doing for fun in my life? Have I laughed today? What do I think of the idea of Jesus playing a prank on his best friends?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.