As they hurried to meet Jesus Samie asked Simon Peter "After you pay the temple tax will you tell us a story?" "Yes we want to hear about the miracles of Jesus!" Miriah agreed. "Sounds good, after I pay the tax." Simon Peter replied. They came to Jesus and before Simon Peter had a chance to speak to Jesus, He said:
"What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?" When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt. "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in 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 you and Me."*
Wow! Now more than hearing a story, Samie and Miriah were going to see a miracle. Did you notice that Simon Peter did not even have a chance to ask Jesus about the money they needed. Jesus already knew about the need. Why do you think that Jesus asked Simon Peter:
From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"
Jesus is the Son of God. Does that mean, that He should not be taxed for His Father's house (the temple)? He should be exempt. Exempt means to not have to do something other people have to do. Jesus should not have to pay the tax. But, Jesus did not want to offend the tax gatherers, so everyone gets the blessing in seeing a wonderful miracle.
Good news! Miracles happen even today!
Matthew 17:24-27 (NASB)
Lesson Questions for the Full Story:
Content: Yo!, Youth Outreach, Youth
Outreach, Children's Devotionals,
Children's Bible Devotionals, Children's Daily
Devotionals, Children's Bible Lessons, Children's
Bible Stories, Children's Missionary Stories,
Children's Bible Verses, Children's Scripture Memory,
Devotionals for Youth, Bible Devotionals for Youth,
Daily Devotionals for Youth, Bible Lessons for Youth,
Bible Stories for Youth, Missionary Stories for Youth,
Bible Verses for Youth, Scripture Memory for Youth,
The Gospel, The Good News, The Gospel of Lord Jesus
Christ, New Testament Stories, Old Testament Stories,
Jesus, God's only begotten Son, Stories of Jesus,
Jesus Parables, Born Again, The way the truth and the
life, God's love, Everlasting life, The Father the Son
and the Holy Spirit, The Holy Ghost, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace, The bright and morning
star, God so loved the world, yoroom
